Edey:

Tea is an enjoyable experience so spending on that is important.

Thanks for validating my opinion. I've tried other brands and always came back to Liption, maybe because that's what I grew up drinking, but you're right; tea is one thing that has to be good, or I'd rather not have it at all. 

Toni, that's why I said if circumstances changed, I'd be happy to drink water instead. 

Oh gee debra is this articial true or is it actually happening or are they just yanking the leg off us or must be the reporter who was doard to tears and went out and wrote this artical...

I thought the art of going out to order food now this what has this eatery done to themselves I guess you get what you order oh gee mom would love to see this artical then she just shakes the head going hhhooo boy???

Pat:

Thanks for validating my opinion.

Some brands really are superior and it's personal taste that dictates that most I think.

Gary mentioned that some people are willing to spend more on some things. We each have things that make life more enjoyable. He specifically mentioned food and clothes. For us those are areas we do spend on.

My husband doesn't mind paying a little more to shop at certain stores. He didn't mind spending more for healthier foods. We did have to revaluate that spending a few months ago and made some compromises. We also made what we both feel are some sacrifices on types of food and brands we enjoyed. I don't think he cares where others shop or what brands are being bought. It's all taste, the shopping experience the particular stores offer and wanting to support local economy

I like clothes. I am sure I have more than quite a few of you. I really don't buy clothes because I NEED them. I buy because I want newer things each year. This is definitely an emotional thing. I do however bargain and second hand shop so my expenses are usually very reasonable.

Someone mentioned Old Navy and how they hate the brand. It's a brand I am willing to pay a little more for at the thrift store and have gone so far as to treat myself to a few new pieces from the store itself before. I percieve this brand to be better than some others. I like the quality, the durability, the styles and the colors. I wish I could say that it never had a thing to do with it being a certain label but I am human too. It does feel good sometimes to feel like I am buying "the nice stuff" but at least I feel it is nice.

I think when our little luxuries become necessities to us and the purchase of them causes us to be in debt or to sacrifice real necessities then we have gone overboard and need to slam on the brakes. Sadly, many are in this very position with not knowing how to cut back and let some things go.

Dear Pat, I "went to Assumption College," (jump to conclusions), but do you mean by Lipton loose-leaf tea, tea suitable for use in teapots that will permeate all of hte water?  Why not just tear open one or more teabags?  Love in Him, Deb  PS Or maybe where you live they don't sell Lipton teabags?

Deborahmichelle:

Why not just tear open one or more teabags?

Teabag tea is finer cut than looseleaf so it goes through a strainer and you'd get a cup full of "leaves." Also, I believe it's inferior quality and wouldn't make as good a cup of tea. Looseleaf is stronger, too. Good thought, though!

Dear Pat, Told you that I went to Assumption College!   Have a great Fourth!  Love in Him, Deb

Deborahmichelle:

Dear Pat, Told you that I went to Assumption College!

I graduated from there, too! 

Brandy, you make some excellent points!

I think that ultimately, people spend on things they enjoy, I know I do.  What is the point of saving money if you never treat yourself to anything?  I shop Old Navy periodically myself-good prices, good quality.  T-shirts are t-shirts, when it comes down to it.  I too like clothes.  I haven't been able to buy much for myself in the past couple of years but I do like the feeling of having something new.  It makes you feel good about yourself, give me pleasure. I like my kids to look cute.  I like having choices in my closet that I WANT to wear instead of just grabbing whatever is there.  I like feeling good in my clothes and I'm willing to pay more for that.  In fact, thrift stores here are so expensive, Old Navy is often cheaper than they are!  I got a skirt there last spring for $2.99 and have worn it A LOT, it would have cost $5 at the thirft store I go to.

Food too is another thing we are willing to spend extra on if we have it.  I will be the first to admit that I could probably trim my budget for groceries more-I buy organic milk for one thing.  I also go to a regional store that carries lots of local produce.  They have good prices, better than the larger chains, but probably not as good as the cheaper, pack your own, warehouse grocery type stores.  But to be honest, I've been in the closest one and it just didn't appeal to me-it was dirty, dark, not great variety, etc.  So I choose to spend a bit more, support a regionally owned business, and that's ok with me!  I like having good food in the house, like having nice choices-it definitely helps with not wanting to go out to eat if you have nice things to eat at home.  I always start to think about eating out when my groceries are running low.

And I too order what I really want when I go out to eat-I always try to pick something that I wouldn't want to make at home or that has too expensive of ingredients or whatever.  We don't eat out often so if we're going to, I want to enjoy it!  And I want to eat something that I'm not going to have at home, if that makes sense.

But, like Brandy mentions, if you don't have the money and are still making the splurges, that's a problem.  If you do though, then I don't think there is any problem with indulging in little things.  To me, there is no reason to sacrifice all pleasures just in the name of being frugal.  I don't actually think that is what being frugal is about anyway (just my opinion!).  I think being frugal is about finding the best and most economically efficient way to do what you want to do.  To me, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the cheapest way!

Sorry, meant to tie back to the article in that I think the researchers are right-people have preferences they indulge in, regardless of price.  Sometimes those preferences can be the cheaper ones, sometimes they are not.  As much as I enjoy my splurges, I also enjoy my non-splurges too-my homemade bread for example.  Or the produce from my garden.  Or when I buy a used book from the thrift shop or check one out of the library.  And more.  I think it most spending choices come down to the prefences of the shopper-and that's why marketing is such big business!!

Dear pat we all did went to that school.