Comments on: Cheapskates http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates On Point is a live, two-hour morning news-analysis program, produced by WBUR 90.9 and NPR. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:08:04 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: David http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11127 David Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:34:35 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11127 I have always saved money and find not pleasure wasting hard earned wages. It's a good way to live. I have always saved money and find not pleasure wasting hard earned wages. It’s a good way to live.

]]> By: Jeffrey McMeans http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11066 Jeffrey McMeans Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:49:32 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11066 I drive a pretty beat up '91 Honda which gets me 32 mpg. As all my friends and co-workers refinanced time and again their homes and took trips, bought a boat or another car, I continued paying my old mortgage, but paid it off 2 years before I retired. I am not a spendthrift, but dress myself and my home and kitchen in things I have found in thrift stores. And fantastic things, too. I have an eye that finds the deals. I sleep great at night I drive a pretty beat up ‘91 Honda which gets me 32 mpg.
As all my friends and co-workers refinanced time and again their homes and took trips, bought a boat or another car, I continued paying my old mortgage, but paid it off 2 years before I retired.
I am not a spendthrift, but dress myself and my home and kitchen in things I have found in thrift stores. And fantastic things, too. I have an eye that finds the deals.
I sleep great at night

]]> By: Majawill http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11061 Majawill Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:18:37 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11061 People, we need only follow the examples of our leaders. Avoid paying taxes (multiple cabinet nominees) and live rent free off of supporters (Rahm Emanuel.) You won't save that kind of money shopping at Aldi or only buying generic beer. People, we need only follow the examples of our leaders. Avoid paying taxes (multiple cabinet nominees) and live rent free off of supporters (Rahm Emanuel.) You won’t save that kind of money shopping at Aldi or only buying generic beer.

]]> By: irongamer http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11060 irongamer Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:59:32 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11060 You here is all the time from the various big news outlets. Why save now when spending will "get us out" of the economic hole. I think they are all missing the real question. Do we want to go back to such a consumption driven system? Do we need to have all these things in our homes that just sit around and take up space? Why do we need to go back to a consumption based system? You here is all the time from the various big news outlets. Why save now when spending will “get us out” of the economic hole.

I think they are all missing the real question. Do we want to go back to such a consumption driven system? Do we need to have all these things in our homes that just sit around and take up space?

Why do we need to go back to a consumption based system?

]]> By: M. http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11058 M. Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:29:15 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11058 What about Aldi? I applaud the critique of Costco, but I was surprised Mr. Templin's recent grocery article did not mention Aldi. I shopped there exclusively while living in Germany and when they arrived in the US I changed my habits here. You cannot match the quality or price anywhere. And the limited selection prevents impulse buying... at least somewhat. PS. The Aldi brothers also own Trader Joe's. What about Aldi? I applaud the critique of Costco, but I was surprised Mr. Templin’s recent grocery article did not mention Aldi. I shopped there exclusively while living in Germany and when they arrived in the US I changed my habits here. You cannot match the quality or price anywhere. And the limited selection prevents impulse buying… at least somewhat.

PS. The Aldi brothers also own Trader Joe’s.

]]> By: jim jinks http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11048 jim jinks Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:29:11 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11048 really enjoyed this segment of the show today. while this economic collapse is and will continue to be painful it does perhaps offer a welcome breather for some. we've been on such a consumerist treadmill for so long.....and it's basically killing us and our world. all this talk about the stimulus and rebuilding our economy.....perhaps we might ask what exactly we want to "rebuild." this slower economy gives us a chance to recalibrate what's important and reconsider ways to move forward sustainably. no? really enjoyed this segment of the show today.

while this economic collapse is and will continue to be painful it does perhaps offer a welcome breather for some. we’ve been on such a consumerist treadmill for so long…..and it’s basically killing us and our world. all this talk about the stimulus and rebuilding our economy…..perhaps we might ask what exactly we want to “rebuild.” this slower economy gives us a chance to recalibrate what’s important and reconsider ways to move forward sustainably.

no?

]]> By: Lucy http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11047 Lucy Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:13:55 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11047 I lived on less than $10K for a decade, and now have an upper middle class income. I can afford lots now, but find I appreciate less. Once the basics of food and shelter are taken care of, money becomes an emotional reality. I lived on less than $10K for a decade, and now have an upper middle class income. I can afford lots now, but find I appreciate less. Once the basics of food and shelter are taken care of, money becomes an emotional reality.

]]> By: Arthur http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11046 Arthur Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:47:53 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11046 Neal's comments about Costco are right on the mark. We stopped going to Costco because we were buying a lot of mediocre pre-processed food in larger quantities and just consuming it faster. Now we only go there occasionally and only for specific items. We've stopped buying pre-prepared items (like pizza and chicken tenders etc) and make these ourselves for a whole lot less money...and better flavor. Neal’s comments about Costco are right on the mark. We stopped going to Costco because we were buying a lot of mediocre pre-processed food in larger quantities and just consuming it faster. Now we only go there occasionally and only for specific items. We’ve stopped buying pre-prepared items (like pizza and chicken tenders etc) and make these ourselves for a whole lot less money…and better flavor.

]]> By: Mary in Boston http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11044 Mary in Boston Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:11:59 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11044 What I didn't hear from the conversation was any sense that Neal and his wife planned economies together. Surely it's one thing for the two of them to sit down and decide to go to inexpensive motels so they could save for retirement, or buy a house, or whatever. It's another thing completely for Neal to decide to only go to Motel Six's in spite of the fact that his wife resented it. (She said they had a miserable trip). I think the price tag for doing anything that erodes a couple's closeness and feelings of value for each other is way too high. I heard the same refrain when Neal talked about giving his wife the finances to do so she'd learn about being careful with money. Even if this was true, surely a loving husband would rather say he gave his wife the finances to do because she did such a great job, and he was so grateful for her help. What I didn’t hear from the conversation was any sense that Neal and his wife planned economies together. Surely it’s one thing for the two of them to sit down and decide to go to inexpensive motels so they could save for retirement, or buy a house, or whatever. It’s another thing completely for Neal to decide to only go to Motel Six’s in spite of the fact that his wife resented it. (She said they had a miserable trip). I think the price tag for doing anything that erodes a couple’s closeness and feelings of value for each other is way too high.

I heard the same refrain when Neal talked about giving his wife the finances to do so she’d learn about being careful with money. Even if this was true, surely a loving husband would rather say he gave his wife the finances to do because she did such a great job, and he was so grateful for her help.

]]> By: Bob in Boston http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11043 Bob in Boston Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:00:08 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11043 A fascinating point was made in the show that frugality is correlated with general anxiety level. Since penny pinchers and spendthrifts have a hard time living together, can we generalize that and hypothesize that worriers and non-worriers should have a hard time living together? A fascinating point was made in the show that frugality is correlated with general anxiety level. Since penny pinchers and spendthrifts have a hard time living together, can we generalize that and hypothesize that worriers and non-worriers should have a hard time living together?

]]> By: Becky Jacunski http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11038 Becky Jacunski Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:52:19 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11038 Hi! I'm Becky from Burlington, VT - I LOVE saving money and recyling & re-using. (plus it is Great for the environment) My husband & I now are on the same page now! It took him 8 years of marriage to begin to take his own lunch from home - and his diet is a little better as a result! For instance, last week he wanted a strap to carry his skies & ski poles together. It was $15 to $35 online, so he went to the hardware store and bought nylon straping for 6 or 7 dollars and I sewed him up a perfect replica! We have 4 in our family, 50% saved really adds up! I often cut up old dresses of mine and make cute shirts for my daughters, curtians to napkins (turned out great!)... On the Costco point - I don't belong - My friends do but I save more money buying items on sale at regular stores. Hi! I’m Becky from Burlington, VT – I LOVE saving money and recyling & re-using. (plus it is Great for the environment)

My husband & I now are on the same page now! It took him 8 years of marriage to begin to take his own lunch from home – and his diet is a little better as a result!

For instance, last week he wanted a strap to carry his skies & ski poles together. It was $15 to $35 online, so he went to the hardware store and bought nylon straping for 6 or 7 dollars and I sewed him up a perfect replica! We have 4 in our family, 50% saved really adds up!

I often cut up old dresses of mine and make cute shirts for my daughters, curtians to napkins (turned out great!)…

On the Costco point – I don’t belong – My friends do but I save more money buying items on sale at regular stores.

]]> By: Gus http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11037 Gus Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:45:13 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11037 I agree with Kathy, conscious spending is common sense. We are the most spoiled wasteful culture on the planet, advertising execs and our govt have created a generation of mindless zombie consumers. I agree with Kathy, conscious spending is common sense. We are the most spoiled wasteful culture on the planet, advertising execs and our govt have created a generation of mindless zombie consumers.

]]> By: Emily Bathan http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11036 Emily Bathan Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:44:31 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11036 One thing missing from this conversation is the big picture question, "Why are we doing this?" Saving money for its own sake is greed, if money is our final goal. Supporting our family and ensuring our future is a better goal. Better yet, let's save money so that we can live on less and use our time, money and energy to help others. Obviously, our spending habits in this country need to change. We have been self-indulgent and materialistic. However, it is more important that we change our character than just change our habits. If we change our habits and remain greedy, we haven't really changed. One thing missing from this conversation is the big picture question, “Why are we doing this?” Saving money for its own sake is greed, if money is our final goal. Supporting our family and ensuring our future is a better goal. Better yet, let’s save money so that we can live on less and use our time, money and energy to help others.

Obviously, our spending habits in this country need to change. We have been self-indulgent and materialistic. However, it is more important that we change our character than just change our habits. If we change our habits and remain greedy, we haven’t really changed.

]]> By: Mari McAvenia http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11035 Mari McAvenia Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:42:32 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11035 A cheapskate knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. One of your callers mentioned that the men she knows are interested in getting the largest quantity of something for the least amount of money. Women, she said, are more interested in finding items of quality for a reasonable price. This statement rings true with me. I've seen it in action, repeatedly. Even living, breathing people are classified as items for purchase based on "how many can I get, real cheap, use up and wring dry, before I have to get a new batch?" Welcome to America! We call it "cheap labor", here, guys. A cheapskate knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

One of your callers mentioned that the men she knows are interested in getting the largest quantity of something for the least amount of money. Women, she said, are more interested in finding items of quality for a reasonable price.

This statement rings true with me. I’ve seen it in action, repeatedly. Even living, breathing people are classified as items for purchase based on “how many can I get, real cheap, use up and wring dry, before I have to get a new batch?” Welcome to America! We call it “cheap labor”, here, guys.

]]> By: Kathy (Chelmsford, MA) http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/02/cheapskates/comment-page-1#comment-11032 Kathy (Chelmsford, MA) Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:20:20 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=13772#comment-11032 Hello, Neal is not a cheapskate...he is normal. This is how everyone should live...really thinking about what you buy, even thinking carefully about your splurges! Hello,

Neal is not a cheapskate…he is normal. This is how everyone should live…really thinking about what you buy, even thinking carefully about your splurges!

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