Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think being frugal is just another form of selfishness?

167 replies

BoldPoster · 12/02/2025 09:01

People love to brag about being frugal but isn’t it just hoarding money instead of contributing to the economy and helping others?

OP posts:
wingsspan · 12/02/2025 09:15

It can be an unpleasant personality trait if someone who clearly isn't struggling for money is tight with it e.g. not buying a round, not putting heating on when others are cold, etc.

But generally I think people are frugal because they are being careful/ sensible with what they have.

Bluevelvetsofa · 12/02/2025 09:14

Maybe being frugal is a necessity at a time when there is very little money. In that case, it’s probably simply to survive.

If someone is being frugal when they have money, then they either have been used in the past to counting the pennies, enjoy a bargain, or perhaps just mean.

Who knows.

Pussycat22 · 12/02/2025 09:13

BoldPoster · 12/02/2025 09:01

People love to brag about being frugal but isn’t it just hoarding money instead of contributing to the economy and helping others?

It's really nothing to do with you.

takealettermsjones · 12/02/2025 09:13

BoldPoster · 12/02/2025 09:11

Not every thought needs to come with a personal anecdote. The idea stands on its own - do you agree or disagree?

Show quote history

Well, why are you asking? What do you think?

AlisonDonut · 12/02/2025 09:11

Yes - I selfishly paid off my mortgage early by scrimping and saving, and by being very frugal and overpaying the mortgage and then very selfishly took early redundancy and retirement, used my savings to buy a house in France and then moved here permanently.

The money I saved in a building society account, and used to pay off the mortgage would have been used to give another person a mortgage, and the high level job I gave up went to someone else to do. Really selfish.

Original poster
BoldPoster · 12/02/2025 09:11

pinkdelight · 12/02/2025 09:05

This is like some basic debating topic provocation. Don't you have any details or situation that's spurred this revelation? Otherwise it feels rather bot-like.

Not every thought needs to come with a personal anecdote. The idea stands on its own - do you agree or disagree?

OP posts:
Mysticguru · 12/02/2025 09:11

Clickbait methinks, but I'll add my bit

I'm frugal but only because I only buy what I need as opposed to what I desire.

Crunchingleaf · 12/02/2025 09:09

Ex would consider themselves frugal. I won’t describe them so kindly. I would say ex is incredibly selfish because their need to be frugal was and is more important than what DC needed. Not wanted …needed.

To an outside observer bring very frugal is as baffling as being a complete spendthrift.

TimeWarSoldier · 12/02/2025 09:09

Nah, I'm just poor. Go shame someone else. 😅

BreezyScroller · 12/02/2025 09:08

Being self-reliant instead of living off society's charity you mean?

Not, it's not.

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 12/02/2025 09:08

Someone once said I "hoard" money as I save for the sake of saving, which a specific purchase in mind.

But I paid off my mortgage at 33, so I'm good...

pinkdelight · 12/02/2025 09:05

This is like some basic debating topic provocation. Don't you have any details or situation that's spurred this revelation? Otherwise it feels rather bot-like.

Relocatethecockringsbeforethemormonsarrive · 12/02/2025 09:04

Why do people keep making these batshit claims in aibu? And often never returning to the thread either. If I was more sceptical, I'd say they're planted here for engagement.

GrandHighPoohbah · 12/02/2025 09:04

Some people are frugal because they are saving for something and need to budget for it. Others are miserly tightarses who delight in performative frugality. There is a massive range here.

Changingplace · 12/02/2025 09:03

Erm, no I think people are usually frugal because they have very little money to start with.

YoungGunsHavingSomeFunCrazyLadiesKeepEmOnTheRun · 12/02/2025 09:03

I hope you did some stretches before taking that leap.

Developedanillness · 12/02/2025 09:01

Wow........that's quite the stretch