There IS a difference…
Posted on 04.07.09 to Opinion by Lindsay
Sometimes, I’ll get emails from people about this site, complaining about the prices of the garments I feature on the blog. It’s not “broke” enough for a lot of people and, honestly, I’m okay with that. There are tons of blogs that’ll show you designer knockoffs (recognizing that they’re knockoffs), $5 shirts, PVC/plastic shoes, etc… Unfortunately, Broke & Beautiful is not one of them.
When I feature pieces that are $100 or $100+ – there’s a reason. It’s because they’re worth a helluva lot more than that, usually. As you may notice, I rarely feature big, designer label stuff here unless it’s at least 70% off – and even then, it’s only from a designer who has high standards of quality, and stuff that you CAN’T find anywhere else.
Why the diatribe-esque intro? Well, my darling FB (Fabulously Broke in the City) made a comment on the difference between being “frugal” (she hates that word, and so do I) and “cheap” that hit the nail so on-the-head that I had to mention it here.
For the record, being frugal (a word I hate), means:
- being a conscious consumer
- spending your money only on what makes you (and only you) happy
- making choices with limited impulse buying
- searching for the best deal for the money and quality you are getting
- buying quality for what you deem is important
- having priorities about what’s important in life (a cute new bag or food on the table?)
- things you buy in the long run cost you LESS
In contrast, being cheap, means:
- refusing to pay tips or treat others when you go out to eat for various reasons
- hunting for sales and buying useless items just because they’re cheap
- spending time, money and gas to chase a buck (no optimization)
- choosing the cheapest option, ALL THE TIME
- compromising your sanity by counting toilet paper squares, stepping on different tiles each day, etc
- being afraid to spend anything and sacrificing yourself
- things in the long run cost you MORE
Now, I’ve never heard of the tile-stepping bit, but if I heard someone was doing it, I’d definitely make fun of them.
xoxo.
Post Tags: cheap, frugal, shopping
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Comments ( 8 )
Birdie added these pithy words on
Apr 07 09 at
7:06 pm
:
AGREES! I can’t stand cheap but I’m definitely conscious about buying.
Thank you for offering designer pieces at affordable prices instead of cheap sweatshop knockoffs. *applauds*
Birdie´s last blog post was Combatting Casual Wear!
Linda Katherine added these pithy words on
Apr 07 09 at
7:15 pm
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That is a little guide that many people have to follow!
And honestly, quality even on sale will cost more than a cheap something that will only last a season.
Linda Katherine´s last blog post was I read this once!
Jen added these pithy words on
Apr 07 09 at
9:11 pm
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Yes! I completely agree. Well-made, slightly more expensive items will wear ten times longer than cheap pieces…and, therefore, save you money. I’d rather get a more expensive piece that I can wear for five years than something cheap and poorly made.
Jen´s last blog post was The Next Big Thing: Revival Ink!
Sherin added these pithy words on
Apr 08 09 at
4:00 am
:
Its true – the real cheap items won’t last as long, and means that you’ll have to buy again soon, whereas spending a bit more saves money in the long run. I avoid really cheap clothes because I know the quality isn’t that good and it won’t last as long.
Also cheap clothes mean that I’m buying more junk that I’m unlikely to wear.
Sherin´s last blog post was I love high-waisted skirts!
Ashe Mischief added these pithy words on
Apr 08 09 at
6:50 am
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Your blog is titled “BROKE & beautiful,” not “CHEAP & beautiful” for a reason. Going broke & buying quality when you can afford is is much better than feeding shopping addictions with cheap crap.
Ashe Mischief´s last blog post was Generation Y in the Work Place!
Sal added these pithy words on
Apr 08 09 at
7:26 am
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So true, so true.
Sal´s last blog post was Who Are You in Five Words or Less!
Fabulously Broke added these pithy words on
Apr 08 09 at
8:16 am
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The tile stepping bit comes from a story about an old woman who kept stepping on different tiles in her home each day just so that they’d wear EVENLY
I had never heard of such crazy, ass up the monkey nonsense in my life.
She had a problem.
*HUGS* thanks for the link love 
You know I adore the blog and it’s quality, cheap finds. Honestly, my budget is around $100 too because when you see REALLY cheap things for $5… they look like they cost $5.
Fabulously Broke´s last blog post was 10 Tips to save money on Groceries each month!
Katie added these pithy words on
Apr 08 09 at
11:26 am
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Amen, Sister!!! That’s the beauty of your blog is that you show good deals on great, quality stuff!!! Your site rocks!Don’t let the haters bring you down! Good post and great pic!
Katie´s last blog post was Was Mariah Carey on Drugs on Rachel Ray?!
