Comments on: 5 Ways Spending More is Actually Frugal

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:12:24 +0000

@Joel You’re right that depending on the type of cable you have, and the types of shows you like to watch, netflix+broadcast TV could be better (especially with new digital channels). I personally like to watch shows on Bravo and other channels that don’t put their episodes online, so I would have to wait until the whole season came out on DVD before watching any of it. I also connect to the internet through cable, and get a deal for bundling – my internet cost would go up if I got rid of cable. But if you mostly watch shows that are available online, and internet isn’t an issue, more power to you if you cut your cable! Definitely a big money saver.

By: » Festival of Frugality #198 – Signs of the Times! on the Festival of Frugality

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:32:05 +0000

[...] presents 5 Ways Spending More is Actually Frugal posted at My Dollar [...]

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:12:30 +0000

Jill,

I love the point you’re making here, however I don’t see keeping cable as a good investment. If you do the Netflix deal, and watch broadcast TV with a DVR you can get almost as much good content (sometimes more) for less money. Check out my thoughts on the upfront cost of a Home Theater vs. other options: http://www.frugalhomeav.com/is.....investment

By: Festival of Frugality #198 -- Signs of the Times Edition

Festival of Frugality #198 -- Signs of the Times Edition — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:15:38 +0000

[...] presents 5 Ways Spending More is Actually Frugal posted at My Dollar [...]

By: Jill

Jill — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:47:46 +0000

@Financial Samurai Definitely not saying frozen dinners all the time, just on the nights you don’t have the time or energy to cook

@Headless Mom I had no idea! I assumed it was cheaper at the grocery store though now that I think about it I’m not sure why. It makes sense you would get it cheaper at the actual store. Thanks for the tips!

@Millionaire Acts Exactly – if you won’t use it all before it goes bad, it’s not cheaper. If you don’t have room to store it and the mess is going to frustrate you, not worth it. As I said above, you have to make the tradeoffs that work for you and do the best you can with what you have.

By: Weekly Roundup: The World Beyond Your Wallet | Credit Karma Blog

Weekly Roundup: The World Beyond Your Wallet | Credit Karma Blog — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:31:54 +0000

[...] 5 ways spending more is actually frugal from My Dollar Plan. [...]

By: Friday Links | The Canadian Finance Blog

Friday Links | The Canadian Finance Blog — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:03:39 +0000

[...] My Dollar Plan lists 5 ways spending more is actually frugal. [...]

By: Millionaire Acts

Millionaire Acts — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:30:06 +0000

The title of this post made me think because we, as personal finance bloggers, are always saying that to become frugal, one has to do budgeting and saving.

I think in the very essence of it, spending more is actually frugal if we buy in bulk and we see to it that we can use what we bought. Don’t just buy in bulk for the heck of saving more without you actually needing the stuffs you bought.

By: Headless Mom

Headless Mom — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:31:42 +0000

A tip on the coffee issue…if you’re buying Starbucks brand coffee, buy it at the actual store. The blend that we like is $9.99 there for a whole pound. At the grocery store it’s $10.99 (or more) for only 12 ounces! We usually buy the beans at Costco, Starbucks roasted, and pay $9.99 for 2 pounds-obviously the best deal of the 3.

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:25:38 +0000

Nice tips. I agree with the frozen dinners, but that kinda sucks in terms of quality of food life

It’s all about Netflix/BB Online for me. $13/month for unlimited movies. Forget even $5/month.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:44:21 +0000

@Sarah T Good for you! I have to say that freezing my own meals is still not something I’m very good at. They always seem to taste differently when I rewarm them, not sure why.

@me in millions Yes, movies are INSANELY expensive, especially when you add in the extras.

By: me in millions

me in millions — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:16:01 +0000

I use Netflix (or Redbox when I have a free code) instead of going to the movies. For the price of one movie ticket I see at least 4 movies a month. Plus I’m not tempted to buy overpriced popcorn or candy.

By: Sarah T

Sarah T — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:29:57 +0000

I eat frozen dinners when I lack the energy to cook too, but I do it with dinners I made and froze! Every time I find something awesome for lunch in my chest freezer, I’m delighted with it, and it’s awesome enough that I’m movtivated to spend the occasional evening making an enormous pot of stew or curry to keep the freezer stocked.

By: Weekly Roundup – Back In Action Edition | Frugal Dad

Weekly Roundup – Back In Action Edition | Frugal Dad — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:01:51 +0000

[...] 5 Ways Spending More is Actually Frugal. I liked this post because it focused on a popular topic surrounding frugality: does it make sense to spend more money up front in some cases to get a better value. (@My Dollar Plan) [...]

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:48:47 +0000

@Kerri Coffee is something I definitely should have mentioned. My aunt gave me a personal espresso machine a couple of years ago. An $8 bag of Starbucks Espresso purchased at the grocery store can last me a month or more. Even if I had purchased the espresso machine myself ($100), I would still be way ahead in the long run.

I also buy high-end items out of season and/or at outlets. If there’s been one benefit of the recession it is that sales have been incredible I commented to someone recently that I don’t like recovery prices…no more Banana Republic Dresses for $50 or less!