Is frugal the new black?

I know someone will probably think this is someone's idea of a joke, but our family has been jolted so hard by the downturn in the economy, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and rumors of war in Iran, that our family has gone underground - literally. After my wife and I lost our Detroit auto industry jobs, we sold everything we had, cashed out our 401(k)s and moved to northeastern Oregon in an old Ford Country Squire station wagon. We converted our meager savings into gold and silver coins (which we hide and re-hide periodically - sometimes we forget where we put them and a squabble ensues) which we hope to use to ride out the coming economic apocalypse.

We've constructed a small squatter's shanty in the heart of a small forested area. My wife's uncle's sister's brother's cousin - who is sympathetic to our plight - gets our mail, pays what few bills we have and keeps our laptop Internet connection afloat.

And so now we're just waiting for World War III and the hyperinflation to start. I home school the children and my wife mends clothes and tends to our makeshift garden. Many nights we do nothing but listen to the rain beat against the tarp. Aside from the occasional lost biologist or self-styled 'bigfoot hunter', we see few others.

If anyone has any idea when the war might break out, please respond.

God Bless

I like swapping and trading and buying anything secondhand because it's the "green" thing to do. There is so much STUFF in landfills that people just got tired of and decided to toss and buy new. I thought it was really funny when I was in Home Depot this week and the "new" thing they are selling is wall-to-wall shag carpeting. Didn't everyone just replace all that a few years back because they were led to believe it was "dated"? Be smart and don't fall for all that advertising telling you that you need more, newer, better, bigger, trendier STUFF. I think overconsumption is BAD for the SOUL. We accuse our kids of being spoiled and look at us. I'm proud to be frugal and I don't even care if someone calls me cheap - I think it's a compliment.

As far as worrying about sending your kids to college, it is not your obligation to put yourself into debt or rob your retirement and savings to put your kids through college. Children have managed to work themselves through college for generations and the ones that do are better for the experience. You are obligated to take care of and provide for your children until they are 18 and after that, what you do for them financially should be based on what you can afford, not what someone (or some college) is making you feel obligated to do. If you can afford to help them through school - great. I don't know how this got started that parents are obligated to plunge themselves into debt, take out second mortgages, rob retirement funds, etc., to send their kids to school. If they want to go badly enough, they will do what they have to do and you can help them as you are able. Maybe it will take them a few extra years but I can assure you they will do more with that education than they would have if it was handed to them without them having to make any sacrifice for it.

WHY does everything have to be "the new black?" Can we please move past this annoying cliche?

It is so uplifting to read these blogs; it's that old Yankee, Midwestern, (sorry I don't know what they call them in the south or west), hunker down spirit that truly makes me proud; no complaints, just get on with it. After years of watching our beautiful country sour into a lot of over-indulged, complaining, credit/media dependant consumers, I have lost faith in my nation. However, I think this current 'crisis' is just what we need to force us back to the basics of life; the universe is giving us a much needed wake up call. Yeah it will be tough, but I think as a country we'll be better off for it. McMansions, multi SUV families, prepared boxed/nutritionless food, media worship over common sense discussion (would we really miss the 'green' Julia Roberts's spy photos of her stepping off her private jet?), the Olive Garden, etc., RIP all of that... I hope. I have no problems with the well-off living their lives, but come on folks, $50K a year and a credit card(s) doesn't entitle you a life of royalty, when the rest of us who play by the rules, have to pick up the pieces. I hope the dinner table becomes the new hip spot to eat, walking becomes the new cool gym, and the park becomes the place to be seen. I'm more optimistic already.

WHY does everything have to be "the new black?" Can we please move past this annoying cliche?

Dawn, you are the first to make reference to that term "the new black", maybe you can help me.
What the heck does it mean? I've NEVER heard it used before and first thought it was something racially inappropriate but the article says nothing of race (and indeed, never even uses the phrase again). So I thought of economics - but while Black refers to good (Black Friday is high retail sales the day after Thanksgiving) it is also bad (Black Monday is the stock market plunge, hardly a good comparison for an article about people making reasoned decisions to cut back on budgets).
Is it related to fashion maybe, black = simple?
I'm totally clueless!

We have tripled the size of our garden. With certain crops (lettuce & beans), we plant new crops every few weeks to make the harvest last over a longer period of time. Instead of paper towels and paper napkins, we've switched to cloth. Our clothes are hung on a line instead of being put in the dryer. We bring our lunches to work, eating up leftovers and thus not throwing away much spoiled food anymore. Eating out has gone down to twice a month. We have always canned our own sauces, fruits, jams, relishes and pickles. We've been going to farmers markets for years now. Eating less, walking to the stores when possible. Turning the thermostat up or down or off (weather permitting). Repairing clothes instead of going out and buying new clothes. Making our own rags. Making lawn furniture out of pallets instead of buying a new set. There are so many ways of cutting costs. The list is endless. With the dropping economy, one can realize what is truly a necessity and what is frivolity.

Please be aware if you are thrift shopping for clothes that there has been a recent resurgence in budbugs! I would strongly advise sending anything from the thrift store to the dry cleaners immediately (before even bringing it in your home) - or alternativley putting such items in a tightly sealed (airtight) plastic bag for at least two weeks to guard against getting your home infested by pesky invaders (any bugs would die within this time - kind of like having a bug in an airtight jar). Beware buying any kind of furniture (w/cushions)at a thrift store lest you want bedbugs at home. It is not worth it - treating a bug infestation in your home or apartment can cost thousands of dollars!

As long as we're sharing tips, let me throw this one in the ring (I have a lot, but I don't want to bore you). If you like to read but the library doesn't work for you (you read slowly, fequently drop books in the bathwater, etc.) try used book stores. Take your books in and trade them for store credit. If you have a lot of almost new hardback books, try selling them on Amazon.com. Unlike eBay, listing is free. It's also a great place to buy used books for a fraction of the cost of new. I buy and sell there and I have never been disappointed.

There was a story related to this on The Today Show this morning and also could be launced in a video along with this article about a family who wanted to try for a week to slash their budget in half. They, a family of four had lived on $660 a week and the poor family had to give up pedicures, eating out lunches, dinners, lawn service. Instead they had to cook at home, mow the lawn, bring out the slip and slide for the kids, have a bog family potluck. Give me a break, The Today Show should be ashamed of themselves. Can they please bring on a family that is living in the real world and start with a family that is living on the basics and help them save money. I always get a good laugh when we are told to keep our heat at 68 degrees. All I know is that we haven't seen 68 in years during the winter. It is set at 60-62 and during the night 55. That is the real world!

Folks, here's your pop quiz for the day - name the famous twentyith century novel about a distopian future that features a phrase repeated by several of the characters of the tale - the phrase is...
"Spending is better than mending, Spending is better than mending" repeated like a mantra. For extra points, NAME THAT AUTHOR (music swells - ticking clock sound)

actually chrisinseattle, the poor little buggers starve, not suffocate. I'm thinking of reporting you to PETA! you horrible perverted animal torturer you!!

All of these "frugal" articles crack me up. I have been living my entire life on a budget, within my means and shopping at thrift stores, garage sales and clearance racks. That is how I was taught. I have taught my daughters the same and repeat even as they are now adults: "For every dollar you make there are 10 waiting to take it". "What you want today you will still want when you have saved for it."

I work in a law office, specializing in bankruptcy. Oh my, don't let anyone kid you that the economy recovered in the 1990s. It was fueled by credit, credit, credit. Well, it has caught up. Shame on the parents that have not taught their children to "want and wait". Shame on all of us that forgot about our basic needs and used material possessions to satisfy our shortcomings, insecurities, etc.

Truthfully, this mess is like a huge snow storm that slows everyone down and gets us back to basics. I am even getting to know my neighbors, even people that live in the entire neighborhood.

One last saying from my now deceased father: Save your money when times are good and buy when things are bad. Desperate people sell at desperate prices. Wish I would have saved more. I could be a huge property manager.........................

Touche'

Hey I didn't hear much about 'garage or yard sales'. The local papers usually list them and if you plan right you can make a big circuit. Just only buy things you would need. I got a pair of really nice 'real' marble and wood end tables for $25. When I was pregnant with my daughter I bought a 4 drawer 'wood' (not pressed wood), dresser for $5. Not a bad price, I painted it for a few dollars and voila, a nice dresser for the kid. She used it for 12 years. Not a bad investment for less than $10 if you ask me. Having a yard sale is also a great way to get rid of things you no longer need and a way to make a few dollars. Only check your local area for any rules/regulations/restrictions. The city I live in only 'allows' a person to do 4 yard/garage sales a year. I live across the street from where I80 is elevated and the space under it is used for parking, but on weekends it can be used for events. Once a month is an 'antiques faire', other times an 'auto' club comes in (twice a year) and sells all kinds of tools, gadgets and auto parts, other times there are 'swap meets'(once a year for different groups). I don't have far to go, but again I only buy what I NEED.

And for the poor lady that talked about how she is going to pay for college, I just finished my last one going through college and she did get great scholarships, but what about books, travel clothes, gas, food, snacks, computer and the list goes on and on for your college student.. Thank goodness, I own a house (or should I say after refinancing, the bank really owns the house) My husband and can never retire, we have nothing left to give up. Please dont ask me to give up my gym membership, I swim everyday. It is the only thing that keeps me sane in this crazy upsidedown world.

I am moving to a less expensive apartment, slashing fuel cost by almost half by staying at home or utilizing local merchants, purchasing items from dollar stores (I love Family Dollar), and learning to do my own hair, manicures, and pedicures instead of going to salons. Poor is not a new condition for me, but after struggling to put myself through college as a single mother of two...I was looking forward to the good life////A dream deferred I guess.

Sorry to bust everyones bubble on this reply, but I am not changing a thing in my lifestyle as so far I have not needed to. When I worked for 35 years I put money away for the future and budgeted for vacations and children needs as my children grew up. I have always bought the new car when I needed to, not because I wanted the new model to keep up with the 'Jones". I retired in 2005 and then started my own construction company, yea I know great timing your thinking, and haven't looked back since. I was in a completley different field when working. The point is I am not probably ever going to retire and I worked for 35 years so I can do what I truly enjoy for the rest of my life. I still have as much free time, well actually a little more, as I had in the past and am still making the same money. At sixty I am not claiming S.S. till sixty-six and not touching my buyout retirement money till that point either. The fact that I planned for the future apparently to all of you is a major fault and I haven't the slightest idea why. I have never ask the govt for a damn thing and really don't care if I ever collect S.S. or not because I never counted on it to be anything but extra found money. I have a good health care policy and then have very rarely used it( best health policy, stay away from your doctor) because it has always been my belief"since the only time a doctor makes money is when your sick( whats his/her incentive to get you healthy? ) stay away.
I have never needed to take six cruises a year or see nine countries in three days. I don't have to have season tickets for every major sport for a lifetime, or make every nascar race for every season, yet I have attended all the above when I wanted and could afford and enjoyed everyone of the excursions.
The few, the fast, and the greedy you so willing followed got you to where you are today, not govt,(although agreed they helped) and you closed your eyes and blindly followed.
I could do a book on this but will end this response with , no I am not changing a thing because I don't have to.

No I have never been an executive, blue collar all my life, yea now as I own the company, so it can be done with proper planning and, no I never got outside help, so no excuses.
Just one American that only ever counted on himself.

Joanne, Congrats on helping your child through college, wish my mom and dad were as generous. Had to do it myself. Wanted my daughter to stay home to go to school, but she chose to leave. No school for her now until she decides to go and pays for it herself. As for Gyms and memberships. Is there a Y in your town? I have one across the street from me and it is $50 a month for the family, they have everything. Weights, classes, and swimming pool. If you have a family of two its $25 each month, family of three its just over $16 each month, and so on. Just wondering. Its an option, may not be as trendy as the latest 24hr fitness center, but it is a place to go and they offer things for the local kids.

Well, golly, I'm sorry for being so out of the mainstream - didn't know all that stuff about black being fashionable, etc... I was confused by the title of the article and now all of you have set me straight - at least I think...

Anyway, I can't say that my wife and I have altered our lifestyle much other than we try to ride our bikes to/from work at least twice a week (I try to telecomute as much as I can), which is no mean feat, given that we live in Arizona where the temps get up around 110 and we're looking at 17, 18 mile rides each way, respectively. We have no children, we live below our means so our lifestyle hasn't changed.

But we're seeing our respective 401K balances go south as well as our IRAs and joint invetement account - we're down around $50K from where we were 2 months ago...

I waited patiently to watch how the family cut their weekly budget in 1/2 on the Today Show this morning. I was very disappointed to see that they showed a wealthy family that is used to weekly pedicures, $25 car washes, eating out a lot and going shopping when there's nothing else to do. They normally spent $660/week! I thought they were actually going to show a "real" middle class family who was feeling the squeeze during this time. I really don't care about someone who complains that her husband rubbing her feet isn't as nice as "the real thing". What are those of us that already paint our nails ourselves, wash our own car and play w/ our kids on a Slip 'N Slide supposed to do to cut our budget?????

For all who responded...

You are all right! We won't put ourselves into debt for college, I don't think it's a parents responsibility...we do want to HELP her though.....whether that be her interest etc...I feel kids put more into it, if they are responsible for it, like her car....we bought it, we help with repairs....gas, insurance etc is her responsibility!

She can't attend a community or tech college where we are, for what she is going for....however, she CAN major in nursing and transfer, which is something we (her and mom and dad) are considering....she'll get more assistance, and really...can work, and get her PA in the process....it'll just take a little longer.

Unfortunately where we live....without ones Masters....she'll make about $12 an hour (not nursing). Not going to college is not an option anymore.....we were lucky....I worked my way up, had a very good job, however once I left, I really Scre*** myself.....as now, for me to do the SAME work, I can't....as I didn't finish my degree yet, which I will do once she is in school...I've held out, so we have two students in the house at the same time.....it's like a card game, unfortunately!

As for flex spending, yes....we can do that as well through my husbands employer, and will do so once we get there....however, insurance only covers $1000...so if it's like our daughter, we'll have at least $2K to pay....mine were $4500.....I paid the orthodontist over $100/mo for several years!!! It will and can be done.....it's all about planning.

Which....we're all trying to do :-)

I think we set a good example for her...she knows we went from NOTHING to what we have now with hard work. We've instilled that in both of our kids....it takes hard work, but can be done...which they've both seen.

I had my daughter at 17....I bought my first house 4 years later.....went to school at night, worked FT and worked PT as an EMT for a long time....I wasn't a statistic, I did what I had to do....of course with the help of my husband (not her dad) who has been a father to her since she was 18 months.

Unfortunately, kids now won't have it nearly like we did 10-15-20 years ago....it's not the same. Where we live you can't even get a secretarial job without at least an associates degree...and even with that someone will only make $10 an hour....that is scary stuff.....no one can survive on $10 an hour. I think that is what scares me the most.....my gosh, my mother was a legal secretary....over 20 years ago, she was making $12 an hour with no degree.......

Scary stuff.....

Please advise, what does "The New Black..." connotation mean.

Give me a clue to decipher just how racist or not this terminology is. I'm already suspicious because I never got a straight answer about this when Tina Fey introduced it in the context of her scathing satirical attack on Barack Obama and in support of Sen. Clinton when she proclaimed, "@!$%# is the new Black".

Is the implication that being Black was once very "hip" and now something else is hip? If so, then it is clearly a race-based comment that is also very inaccurate. When did any of the most hip white Americans prefer to be Black? I must have missed that period.

If it means something else, please tell me so I can calm down. I'm fearing this author may be trying to codify in our lexicon some terminology that wasn't even the funniest punchline in Ms. Fey's original rant. Please advise.

My gym isnt trendy at all but has a pool. The YMCA isnt that close so this is a better option, for my husband and myself it is $118/month. The YMCA is maybe by now $800/year. But the pool where I go has a bubble over it for the winter and the bubble comes off during the summer and faces a mountain. I would rather give up food then my gym membership. We did put our two daughters through school although they came out with debt, then they went to law school for lots of debt (we did not pay for law school but helped every time we could for emergencys) BUT now at least they have a chance to pay off all the debt.(And the one who already finished is paying it off nicely) I just dont understand how kids are coming out from college with an average of $20,000 in debt and then their first job pays $25,000-$35,000 and have to rent an apartment, drive a car, eat. But, meanwhile my husband and I have to concentrate on ourselves and live as cheaply as possible. We do rent videos, basic cable, no movie theaters for us.

The funny thing is that if more Americans did this as a way of life ALL THE TIME, we might be in better shape as a nation. I make a decent living and don't wait for a downturn in the economy to shop smart and reuse items found at second-hand stores. For me, it's always been fun and a way of life that supports my larger financial goal (freedom!).

Finally! People are living like me!

Not that I was on a mission to cut corners and save bucks, but like many of you, my financial world came crashing down during a 2006 layoff . . . two months later my husband became disabled and could no longer work. If I wanted a new outfit for a job interview, I certainly couldn't afford to head to Saks to find one . . . however, I did scoop up a beautiful classic designer suit at my local Salvation Army! Now I can't remember the last time I shopped retail for clothes, shoes, purses or accessories! And household items? I'm buying better quality merchandise second hand than I could ever afford new! My Salvation Army and Goodwill know me by name!

Thrift shoppers only need to keep a sharp eye out for damaged goods -- inspect every square inch before you buy! -- and you'll find terrific deals out there! Here in the east, we have a discount food store called Aldi -- excellent prices on off-brand foods and incredible prices on fresh produce. And when I head to the grocery store, it's typically my "major discount super store" -- like many of you have already stated -- store brands are often as good, if not better, than pricey brands.

(Pedicures? I've never even experienced a manicure! I was frugal before it was black!)