I wonder if frugals minds just work differently

[Curmudgeoness]

than the majority of the human population.

Do you get caught up in trends and fads?
Does a commercial or advertisement entice you to buy?
Are you all excited to see ads for a sale?
Do you go shopping because you are bored or just to see what is in the stores?
Is the newest thing on the market something you feel like you have to try?

I don't think that any advertising gets through to me. When I need something, I look at ads to see what is available and what the best price is that that product. If I don't need anything, ads go in the trash. TV commercials have not made me feel that I have to have a particular product.

I do not understand all the money spent by companies to persuade me to buy. It is totally wasted on me---in fact, the only ad money that might work on me is coupons, and that is only if it really is a good deal. Years ago, I remember there was always free trial samples to convince you the product was worth buying, and they could work for me too---I am not inclined to try something new by buying it, but have at times found that I really liked the product if I didn't have to spend money to find out if it was any good. But they don't do free samples much these days.

It is obvious to me that I do not react the way most people do. If most people were like me, tactics would be much different---if any tactics would work. Do other frugals wonder about how their brain is wired??? I already know that I am not "normal", but I wonder if we are all in that same boat.

[NMDemDist2]

1. i dunno, hubby and i spend a lot of time laughing at ads on TV

and we use Roku and DVR to just avoid ads altogether

I hate shopping therefore never use it for entertainment. the exception to the 'hate shopping' rule is thrift stores, I LURVE thrift stores!!!

since i'm now in a rural area that uses up everything, or passes it on to family my thrifting has dropped by about 97% but I make up for it on my annual visit to Mom in a larger city. They just built a beautiful and large Goodwill that i never pass up visiting while in the city.

in fact, i'm visiting next month. and plan a $100 budget for Goodwill

[Curmudgeoness]

2. Laughing at ads doesn't count.

well, unless you then go out and buy the products.

Thrift shops are great. That just shows that we do not "hate" shopping, doesn't it? Have fun next month!

[pengillian101]

18. Won't you have fun!

But you needn't wait to visit your Mom. They have an online auction store from all the Goodwills around the county.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com

[Sherman A1]

3. Possibly

however, it is wise to remember that we live in a consumer based economy (and while that may or may not be ideal, it's the way things happen to be at the moment) and those ads represent people working in the ad agencies, media, transportation, warehousing & the commercial outlet that would like you to come purchase whatever item from them. I don't normally succumb to advertising & do my shopping only after considerable homework on the item when possible (a year's research on a auto purchase for example),but those are jobs. I may not be interested in their product(s), but I don't ever begrudge them their efforts to sell the item(s) to me.

[Curmudgeoness]

4. I completely agree that there is nothing wrong with advertising.

And I do know that this is supposedly a consumer-based economy. But I feel as if I don't belong in this sort of economy. I don't fit. But I know that most do seem to be swayed. I have always said that if any business is depending on my to keep them going, they are out of luck---and that includes businesses that I wish to support. I just do not consume enough to matter, and I do not get pulled into any of the shopping mentality that they are working so hard to instill in me.

[JDPriestly]

5. Sometime I think it is genetic.

Yes. For some of us, frugality is enjoyable. We are just a little strange that way. I love recycling things. It's kind of a game for me.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. Nature/nurture.

The debate could go on and on. Is it genetic, or is it how we are raised? My family is all frugal...but that doesn't necessarily mean it is genetic. Depression era parents, and they were raised by dirty poor parents. That can do it too.

I just feel like I am a freak sometimes. I do not relate to all the people I work with, or my neighbors, or friends who always want to go shopping.

[JDPriestly]

7. I hate shopping -- except gardening shops.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. Ah, yes, that is where I have seen you before.

Gardening Group! I am often confused by a few of the people I run into in my subscription groups, and which group they belong to in my mind. You were not in my mind as a frugal, and now I remember you.

[Kolesar]

9. How would I know if I am being taken in by the advertising and newness?

I am sure that most Americans think they are wise with money.
Most Americans think they are better drivers than everybody else.
Most Americans think they can get a better deal at the car lot than most others.

Am I being used?

[Curmudgeoness]

10. I suppose that none of us know for sure

if we are influenced by advertising. But I do know that I rarely try anything new that comes out, I am not tempted by the "end of the aisle" displays in stores, and I do not run out to a store because there is a sale flyer in the mail box. I can think of few things that I buy that are advertised anymore (example is my only cleanser is Bar Keepers Friend, my furniture polish is Milsek--- and when have they been advertised).

Oh, and BTW, I am a great driver!

[Phentex]

11. I am affected but I don't necessarily act...

I think I am easily swayed by advertising. Infomercials are very effective on my brain. I was convinced I NEEDED the roto zip circular saw! My husband looked at me like I was crazy. I NEED Rhino Shield on my house. I NEED the tummy tuck belt. Oxi Clean is the answer to my clay soiled laundry. ETC.

But I do not act on these impulses.

Let me answer your questions...

Do you get caught up in trends and fads? No. I am usually very late to the party of trends.
Does a commercial or advertisement entice you to buy? Entice me, yes. Actually buy? Not likely.
Are you all excited to see ads for a sale? No.
Do you go shopping because you are bored or just to see what is in the stores? Never.
Is the newest thing on the market something you feel like you have to try? No.

That said, I do think frugal brains are more likely to ask themselves "Do I need this? Will it make some part of my life easier? Is this the best price?"

[Curmudgeoness]

12. LOL. My first suggestion to you is

do not watch infomercials. I laugh at them if I ever see them, but somehow, I never run into them. I don't watch TV very much, and never put it on at odd hours, I guess. But I am glad your house isn't full of junk you saw on TV.

I often wonder why I cannot comprehend the appeal for all of this that everyone else around me has. At work, this is all the other women are talking about----the great sale at Kohl's, the newest shoes, remodeling their kitchens that they just did five years ago. And I am just on the outside looking in. I'm a freak.

It sounds like you are in the same boat. Aren't we lucky!

[Phentex]

15. In very strange news...

I had a friend tell me just the other night that THEY had the Rhino Shield done on their window frames and doors and the stuff is crap. She called the company and was given the song and dance about the company being bought out and a new formula being used, blah blah blah. The long and short of it is they will only re-coat but labor costs are not included.

I have never known ANYONE who had Rhino Shield and find it so strange that after I posted here, the topic came up with my friend.

I believe that anything that sounds too good to be true probably is.

[Curmudgeoness]

16. Has anything on infomercials ever been good?

I don't think that I have ever bought anything advertised in this way, so I am not sure it any of it works. You are right about anything that sounds to good to be true is not true.....and those ads certainly push the envelope on believability.

[Phentex]

17. Two things...

I bought an Oreck vacuum cleaner a billion years ago from the infomercial and it has been well worth the money. The free hand held that came with it has been amazing.

I also bought a Cricut Expressions paper cutter but NOT from the Cricut infomercial. After seeing the infomercial a few times, I went online and did some research. I found a small shop selling a bundle for much less. I love this thing! I can't say it's frugal but I have to think it is for me. I can make cards (that I would have had to buy) both to send and to give as gifts. I make signs for my business, etc. So it's been a good purchase for me.

[RebelOne]

19. My frugal brain will ask me, "Can you live without this?"

Most of the time I reply yes. But sometimes there are products that I buy that I am convinced will make my life easier.

[Irishonly]

13. Ads on TV either make me laugh or make me mad

I am not in a target group for a lot of advertisers. Some of them treat consumers that all of their little gray cells are dead.

[Curmudgeoness]

14. LOL. That's the truth.

I watch these ads, and wonder "who is the target group???"

[Flaxbee]

20. I don't like clutter. Which is one reason I really don't like thrift stores...

because to me, you don't know if they have something you need, you go in there to find something and convince yourself you want it. My husband has what he calls "the junk gene" and he loves thrift stores - I'll get books, and I've found a nice sweater or two at Goodwill or Salvation Army. But he'll go in to a thrift store and he used to come out with tons of things we didn't need, but that he thought were neat or possibly useful. He doesn't do it nearly as much these days but all of that stuff would drive me CRAZY. But it made him happy to have half-busted pieces of electronics to tinker with.

I do like to shop, when I have money and need something or things. Key word is "need". I like interiors (design, dishes, etc.) and fashion and have a weakness for beauty products (only if they're paraben and phlalate-free, and not tested on animals, though), but I just can't emphasize enough how much I despise clutter and extra stuff that doesn't get used. I don't really like knick-knacks, can't understand collecting dishes or dolls or anything like that. But I do I wish I could shop a little more these days. I don't buy just anything, and I don't get swayed by commercials. I don't ever feel the need to try something new simply b/c I saw an add for a Swiffer, or an exercise machine, or whatever.

So, I guess I'm not in any way an impulse buyer, and don't respond to TV advertising (but if you show me a beautiful textile in a home magazine and I'll lust after it.

[Curmudgeoness]

21. Ah, lust, that is a big downfall.

I am lucky that I can't afford the things that I lust for---it is always those things that are so far out of my range.

I do know people like your husband, who buy things just because they are such a great buy, or are interesting. But then again, if it makes him "happy" to play with broken things and fix them, that is ok. As long as it isn't in the middle of the dining room table.

[Flaxbee]

22. it used to end up on the dining room table, and a piece on the coffee table, and the tools scattered

on a chair or two or the couch... sigh. But we now have a small office and all those things end up THERE!

It does make him happy to fix retro electronics, or tinker with things. So that's OK, so long as I don't sit on something sharp he forgot to pick up!

[txlibdem]

23. Are frugals "normal?" Absolutely!

It is the throngs of mindless sheep rushing out to buy the latest made in China piece of crap who have the problem, in my view.

Keep doing what you're doing! It seems to be working well for you.

[Curmudgeoness]

24. It is sad when "society" makes me wonder

what is wrong with ME! You are right---there is something wrong with the ones who MUST have the latest purchases at the expense of their credit cards. Thanks for reminding me of that.

[stuntcat]

25. the ads on tv are why I stopped watching it

I only watch Turner Classic Movies, a channel with no ads, except for movie ads. And a couple of hours of PBS every week, still very little ads.
All we buy anymore is groceries and gardening stuff. Ads just piss me off, I deliberately don't buy anything I see an advertisement for.

If my husband brings home new things he's bought, my first thought is how I can take the packaging apart and recycle or compost it or use it in the yard lol

[Curmudgeoness]

26. Now that's what I'm talking about....

We don't think like all the other people who are on this planet! And I always try to find ways to reuse and recycle all packaging. In fact, I am so ticked off with some packaging that has no purpose that I can find.