Frugal DNA

Home Lifestyle Miscellaneous Money Perspectives Frugal DNA

If you hang around with frugal friends and are willing to admit it, you'll probably notice that there appears to be no one way to live a Dollar Stretcher lifestyle. There are, however, several similar "genes" that most zealous frugalites carry. Here are a few we've observed.

• Lifestyle Gene - Frugality isn't "belt tightening" during a crisis; it's not a fad or temporary thing. It's a lifestyle, usually born out of necessity, but continued because it is fulfilling and "we just couldn't imagine living any other way."
  
  
• No-Fad Gene - Most economizers avoid trendy toys, decor or fashion for two reasons. First, they consider the cost. The newest stuff is usually the most expensive. If you wait a while, you'll find it in the thrift stores for pennies on the dollar. Secondly, we tend to be independent sorts, not caring much what others think. We wear what we like and usually buy standard or classic fashions. If we need something dressy, we'll hit the consignment store or thrift shop. Steve recently picked up a Yves Saint Laurent suit in perfect condition for $12 and an Eddie Bauer sweater for $7. Annette found a Jones of New York two-piece suit for $15. Whew, what great deals!
  
  
• Brand-Disloyalty Gene - In most cases, brands don't matter. Whether it's clothing or food, most tightwads know the names they'll avoid, but their bottom line is to be fashionable or well fed, while still being frugal.
  
  
• Non-Materialistic Gene - Less is more. Most frugal-minded people realize that stuff costs money to buy, money to maintain and money to replace. When we have a need, we'll try to make do with what we have, substitute with something that will work, or borrow from a friend before plunking down our hard-earned cash. Our property originally had 70 trees on it. Now there are quite a few less. Before we purchased our own chain saw, we borrowed one from a friend. After borrowing it a few times, we realized we needed to purchase our own tool. Most consumers would immediately run out and purchase something to meet an immediate need before determining if it was really a necessity. Not so with Dollar Stretchers.
  
  
• Worn-Out Genes - We wear things out. We'll sew, tape, glue or screw things together to keep them serviceable. As a last resort, we'll replace a broken whatchamacallit, with a used one, if possible. Clothes are handed down from one kid to the next. Toys face the same fate. When we get rid of something, you can be assured it has lived a long, useful life and probably won't be accepted by any self-respecting thrift store or dumpster diver.

If you feel as if your gene pool has been diluted, don't despair; just hang out with some Dollar Stretching friends. Frugal DNA is contagious. Pretty soon, you'll be viewing life as a game, and you'll be playing to win. There's only one rule to remember: Get the best price for the highest quality. Oh, wait! There's one more rule: When you do find a "killer deal," make sure to tell a friend, but only if there's enough to go around.

Steve and Annette Economides are authors of America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right On the Money (A New York Times Best Seller) published by Random House 2007. They have five children ranging in age from 13 to 24 years old. They also publish the HomeEconomiser newsletter 6 times each year. Subscriptions are available for $12 per year. For more info and lots of free money saving ideas, visit www.AmericasCheapestFamily.com

Discuss "What makes a dollar stretcher?" in The Dollar Stretcher Community

Stay Connected with TDS

Subscribe to TDS Newsletters

Join over 250,000 other subscribers!

To subscribe, check the newsletters you wish to receive, enter your email address and then click Subscribe.

Surviving Tough Times Dollar Stretcher Parents Dollar Stretcher Tips The Dollar Stretcher (text-based)

Financial Independence TDS Special Offers The Computer Lady Computer Lady Lessons Healthy Foods

View the TDS privacy policy.

Money problems? The Dollar Stretcher can help: Afraid to lose your job? Struggling with credit card debt? Help for your mortgage? Can't pay your debts? Need some extra income? Fighting bad credit? What you need to know about bankruptcy? Become money smart? Trouble repaying student loans?

Copyright 1996 - 2013 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." All rights reserved unless specifically noted.

Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
941-761-7805

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.

Also In This Week's Issue

• How should you compare insurance companies?
• Wedding insurance: Help for bridal 'fails'
• Why are home prices back on the rise?
• Does home insurance cover leaky old plumbing?
• Why you want to avoid a long-term car loan
• Know if you should refinance your mortgage
• Creating a trust that evolves with changing needs
• Top 10 DIY mistakes by home 'handymen'
• 7 reasons to keep savings, checking accounts at 1 bank
• 5 ways to beat the payroll tax increase
• How to obliterate your student loan debt
• How a college degree helps you financially

In The Dollar Stretcher Community

• How can you check if your identity has been stolen?
• Fair wages: Do you get paid enough?

Reader Favorites

• Should you 'take over payments'?
• Selling a prom dress
• DIY backyard play structures
• Organizing kids' rooms
• The cost of commuting