I go to the bookstore if I need to buy a specialty magazine, but I try to avoid bookstores altogether, because they are a real temptation for me to overspend. I go to Amazon, where I can read about the books, scan reader reviews, and – in many cases – view pages within the books as well. Add to that the fact that most books on Amazon are discounted and have NOT been “fingered to death” by so-called “browsers”, and Amazon is almost always my choice. Seriously, if you’re going to pay for a book, especially for a gift to someone, don’t you want it to LOOK New???

As far as the recording of info out of a book at a bookstore, that’s one line I just would not cross. I recall somewhere Trent mentioning that he believes in supporting causes, business, organizations, etc. (NOT his exact wording; I can’t remember the phrase he used) that he receives “value” from. Clearly, he found the information in that cookbook valuable, yet he did not support the author who made that info available for him to learn. Maybe someone might buy him that book in the future from his Amazon Wishlist – maybe not. Either way, most likely that particular bookstore will not be the one to benefit.

I also believe in adding financial support to people, businesses, and organizations I receive value from. That’s why I purchased Trent’s book, and each of the e-books he offers for sale on this site. Does buying an e-book about blogging when I never intend to write a blog mean that I’m not “frugal” or am “unwise” with my money? Or am I simply finding a way to support an entrepreneur whose work I receive daily enjoyment and value from? BTW, I’m looking forward to your next book Trent, but I’ll be ordering it from Amazon – LOL!

Lisa

I am surprised that some people found making one’s own laundry detergent “too cheap”! For months I have felt terrible for *not* doing that….

being a cheapskate at the expense of potential business parters is not a good show of personal character. period.

Although I don’t currently reuse “zipper reclosable bags” (e.g., Ziplocs), I have in the past and it’s a laudable practice. (They do have to be washed with soap to keep them sanitary.) Minimizing the plastic we use and discard is important for our environment and for our future quality of life. That type of bag is expensive, so reuse can also provide a real savings.

I believe that “too frugal” is in the eye of the beholder. I am appalled when someone who has roasted a chicken doesn’t plan to use the bones to make stock, but I don’t imagine I can force everyone to do so.

Also, Trent invited a client to the coffee shop–he is the one who initiated the visit, (and possibly paid for the joe). So long as a sale was made, the establishment was being respected.

I think we need to practice tolerance around money and the strategies we use to make ends meet. I imagine that The Simple Dollar is read by both needy and well-off people, so there is room for a whole range of standards regarding frugality. Just examine your own ways to try to eliminate waste where you can. In my mind, it’s a moral issue, not just a financial one.

best,
Amy

Because of the risk of lawsuits if someone does get sick I imagine this date is often pretty conservative. Some less perishable items may well last several months without becoming a risk to your health.

A newer trend is the “best by” dates on things that won’t spoil but MAY not taste as good after enough time. For *most* of these I challenge you to tell the difference during a blind taste test between one right at it’s “best by” date and one six-twelve months over.

While it’s nice to know that beverage isn’t 5 years old the reason it’s so popular with manufacturers is because many people (and most stores) will throw out the “old” stuff shortly after the “best by” date.

It’s a good idea to actually understand what the different types of dates and codes mean. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Food_Product_Dating/index.asp and http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/thriftyliving/tl-foodfreshness.html

Many dates have no meaning at all except to the manufacturer. I strongly suspect some play games with them to encourage consumers to toss out perfectly good product and buy more. I bought a bulk pack of Tylenol and a week later noticed something that said “Ex: 8/8/07″.

So what does that mean to me? Expires 8/8/2007? As a date it was about a week away. I called the company who made it and they said, “Oh, that’s just a packaging code. It doesn’t mean anything for you.” How many people do you suppose bought that brand and ended up tossing 1/2 the bottle?

When you really stop to think about what is thrown away on a daily basis by most grocery stores, the amount of waste is both shocking and disgusting. Most of it is packaged food that has only expired the day before. Often it will be dented cans of food, many times thrown out simply because the label has fallen off. But it’s surprising how often he’ll find things that are not expired or damaged in any way.

And he loves to reminisce about the biggest finds. Like last winter when he brought home 15 half gallons of Edy’s ice cream which had likely been thrown out just because the containers were sticky. And the time he brought home nearly 30 pounds of green seedless grapes. After picking out the bad grapes, there were still over 20 pounds left. And one time when I was growing up he brought home a 5 gallon bucket full of packages of sliced pepperoni. He put it in the freezer, and we had pepperoni for years!

And yes, my parents also wash and re-use their Ziploc bags. And bread bags. And take-out containers. I think of them as being unconscious environmentalists, but they just look at it as being efficient.

And, yeah, you’d better believe my tetanus shot is up to date.

A better way would be to find a cheap source of inexpensive socks. I can get “irregular” socks at a discount clothing store for less than a dollar a pair.

Frugality doesn’t mean spending the absolute least amount of money possible. It really means getting the most out of the money you do spend. Buying a $1 burger at a fast food joint is not frugal. Buying a $20 ham for $10 with a coupon, cooking it, making a variety of ham meals/sandwiches, using some to make split-pea soup and using the bones to make another soup is definitely frugal even though it cost 10x more.