Comments on: These Are Frugal Tips? Is the Today Show Nuts?

By: Valerie Deneen

Valerie Deneen — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:03:52 +0000

I could not agree with you more. It is time to get back to basics, and for most people there is a steep learning curve. And I understand completely about the make it from scratch issue… I have had kids visit and they did not know what real chicken looks like. They had only ever seen chicken nuggets! How sad is that???

Valerie
Frugal Family Fun Blog
Good times on a budget!

By: Lydia Beyoud

Lydia Beyoud — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:24:07 +0000

I think those talk shows are inherently superficial and am not surprised that their tips weren’t really all that helpful. The frugality and knowledge of my grandparent’s generation has been totally superceded by this “I deserve the finer things” ethos you talked about. But I think we’re going back to it! My university has a community garden, so do many of the K-12 schools in my city. PBS had a great special recently about how a farmer’s market and community gardens in New York City (and surroundings) is genuinely changing the lives -eating habits and health- of low-income families in high-crime districts. THAT’s the kind of advice our nation needs! (If you’re interested, you can probably find it on their website). Great post, I hope they listen to you!

By: Condo Blues

Condo Blues — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:30:19 +0000

The fake frugal tips things drives me nuts too. My local tv station has started doing these and sometimes I just want to call them up and say,”please find a real person to give workable tips than just parroting something you read on the Internet.” Unless it’s my blog. I try to give people real options and try to realize what works for me may not work for you. For example, having a cell phone is a money-saver for me because I use it as my home phone, which was killing me in long distance charges. but this option works for me because I live in a city and most of my friends have the save service (free mobile to mobile calls.)

The same thing goes for “fake environmentally friendly living tips.” In that case it’s of the “I did this so everyone else should do the exact same thing too!” which isn’t always realaistic given regional and economic differences.

By: Pages tagged "frugal"

Pages tagged "frugal" — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:46:43 +0000

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By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:18:17 +0000

It’s like you read my mind with this one! Makes me laugh when “cutting the premium channels out of your cable bill” is a suggestion for people in “financial crisis”. I haven’t had cable since I moved out of my parent’s house 14 years ago! People can be so silly…

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:13:04 +0000

great letter, great post. people need to rethink needs vs. wants, luxuries vs. basics. the kind of change they were promoting on the show isn’t real change.