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Post by lagatta on Feb 1, 2019 16:59:32 GMT
There are always those who indulge in competitive frugality (I'm not speaking of people in dire poverty). On another forum, a guy who claimed that Ocasio-Cortez wasn't a real social-democrat because she liked red lippy and smart dress, and who was boasting that he owned but one pair of black jeans in the trousers department, and only a couple of t-shirts and one "Button-shirt" for when he had to dress up. This fellow does have a job. We were wondering if he jacked the heat up while washing jeans in the altogether.
And now a woman I know who actually has a modest inheritance and owns a small house took me to task for buying a new coat at deep discount instead of a second-hand one at a friperie. The friperie she mentioned is smelly; I take some old clothes there because I know that they will simply give them to itinerants and other people in dire poverty. I had been looking at other charity shops, but found nothing appropriate - many coats were very long ones that were in style a couple of decades ago, and I'm swamped with those. Getting them shortened by a tailor or seamstress costs a bundle. I know that our economy is terribly wasteful, but often new clothing discounted can be cheaper than used.
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 1, 2019 17:37:30 GMT
I agree that professional cheapskates are annoying, but I am considered to be one on several travel forums. Being a local is mostly the source of the problem. When people say that they were thrilled to buy a wonderful rotisserie chicken in Saint Germain des Prés for only 12 euros, and I step into to mention that in my neighbourhood, they only cost 4.50, I don't make many friends, even though I am not suggesting that people cross town to save money if they are staying in Saint Germain (which I can't help but denounce regularly although I have been restraining myself in recent years). When a neophyte asks if there is even the slightest possibility of spending less than $200 a night for a hotel in Paris and I step into say that I would not even spend $100 but I wouldn't stay near the Seine, a lot of people think that it is heresy. I have changed my tactics on airport transportation when people ask for the best way to get into Paris. Instead of just pointing out that the train into the city costs 10.30 compared to 50/55 euros for a taxi (flat rate for right bank/left bank), there are always people to say that taxis are so much more wonderful and "anyway, once you have spent $1000 for your plane fare, it is silly to save a few euros upon arrival when you are jet-lagged and vulnerable on public transportation." I just mention that the carbon footprint of a taxi into the city is 40 times more than taking the RER and that anybody who cares about the planet would be totally irresponsible to travel any other way if they don't have disabilities. This actually shuts some people up.
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Post by lagatta on Feb 1, 2019 18:32:06 GMT
And I think the RER is FAR more wonderful than taxis! A friend from Buenos Aires was astonished at the quality of Parisian - Francilien public transport. No, I'm like Jazz for that. An internet connection is a big plus, but that's about all. Though I'd love a place with a mini kitchen nook. And I prefer to be in the east end as that is where most of my friends live -18th, 19th and 20th as well as Montreuil. An exception is a couple of emeritus professors, who live in the 14th not far from Luxembourg, but everything there is much more expensive.
Any suggestions for the best roast chicken in your hood?
What you said was merely sensible, not like the compulsions of the people I mentioned. I love quality public transport and am rather geeky about it, looking at sites on tramlines and such. I'm so looking forward to taking the T3.
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 1, 2019 19:43:47 GMT
Any suggestions for the best roast chicken in your hood? I probably have not bought more than 4 rotisserie chickens in the last 10 years. One reason is because my little Moulinex toaster oven made excellent rotisserie chickens. But I got rid of it when I changed my kitchen and got a real oven, but the real oven does not have a rotisserie function. I think I might have baked one chicken so far, but it is not the same as a chicken turning on a spit. The main thing that I know about rotisserie chickens is that I far prefer the cheap ones to the "farm" chickens. I have allowed myself to be talked into the farm chickens every now and then (the last time was just before the place was closing -- "I'll sell you the farm chicken for the same price as the ordinary chicken."). Every time I have bought a farm chicken, it has been dry and disgusting. The ordinary chickens have more juice and fat, and that is what I like.
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Post by questa on May 1, 2021 0:00:10 GMT
My grandfather had a saying..."turn every penny over 3 times before spending it" and it works. Do I need it, do I really want this one and what would life be like with/without it?
No impulse buying here! It pays off because everything I buy is needed and has a purpose in the home. No kitchen gadgets that never get used to a car bought many years ago that he could repair himself.
I have inherited his frugal nature but when I travel I make sure I have built in enough lee way to cover the occasional splurge, rarely a meal but something I can take home. If it is also useful...bonus. At home I can't justify expensive clothes, shoes or equipment. My friends laughed when in one week I paid $45 for a "pre-loved" 3 piece lounge suite and $180 for a pure down and well designed sleeping bag for my off road camping.
I usually live on freshly cooked street food when travelling and at home, being a useless cook, I stick with rice and noodle type meals, avoiding anything with more than 6 ingredients.
Today's money-grabbers are all the electronic stuff we are told we can't live without. I have enough hassles with a smartphone and camera. I'll leave them to my kids as antiques...might be worth a dollar or so.
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