Who else here is frugal?

You guys are funny.

"Funny"...well, amusing @ times, but most of the posts seem fairly straightforward & rational to some extent...

What do you call a person who rarely buys..

...Things? First, let us define ’Things’, Friend Eric. ( No, I’m not trying to be snotty...just Serious. *S*

We (spouse & self) have owned 2 homes, currently working on acquiring the 3rd. This is to be placed on a 1/2 ac. we purchased 7ish yrs. ago.
This is Priority 3.

Priority 1:
Some 14 yrs. ago, we purchased a business. Having diligently worked since to turn it into an entity that now has a ’rep’ not only for doing excellent work, but is actually pleasant and nearly fun to work with.

We spend $....$K on lumber, materials, wages, taxes, utilities, rent, all that. New tools when necessary, but I keep eyes peeled for the used (but not abused) items that may not be needed immediately. But, if one wants Growth, the means to do so are worth the investment. Carefully regarded used equipment is one means of keeping the ROI high..

Priority 2 is keeping ourselves healthy and happy while making #1 do more than pay the bills; making #3 a reality is part of that.

All else is Optional.

My audio endeavours is an adjunct to #2, but an extravagance. My approach to my version of it isn’t quite what most would deem ’normal’. I’m reasonably certain that any of you watching me take a nice new speaker and cutting the cone out of it would disturb...

...and what follows That...is what amuses ME.

I’ve owned ’nice things’ audio in the past...Really!  I can ’hear’ most of the characteristics y’all banter about; even now, old, looking in the mirror & annoyed at what I’m seeing....("Good morning...you look like hammered sh*t...oh, well....off into the day..."). ;)

In the mid ’80’s, it became very apparent that ’hi-end audio’ was continuing to head towards the stratosphere. ’ROI’ vs. Obvious Improvement would narrow such that only +$ would entail ’details’ that would require +$ in the environment placed to appreciate such.

So, I quit. Not the hobby, but the pursuit of Perfection.

(kenjit’s forum on the Perfect Speaker comes to mind in this quest...
"What?! Huh?!" *L* He’d really be better off getting a trophy wife to find Nirvana...Speakers? No...)

Of late, I do what I do on a shoestring...because I can, and I know what I want...and I know what I’m trying accomplish.

I’m so used to doing the improbable with next to nothing that it’s entertaining to Me to do so.

I’m actually looking forward to having the opportunity to have a bit of ’hi-end’ linked to my ’lo-rent’, just to see what happens.

If I can startle you enough to drop your jaw....*L* Nirvana Achieved. *S*

It’s good to have goals, I hear...;)

I really want y'all to know and accept that I do respect & admire the commitment to everyone's pursuits...even if I don't agree with everything applied in that process.

We all have our visions of Heaven.

Your local brick & mortar dealer depends upon you, if you choose.  Support him/her if you care.

We all have our own 'means to our ends'; follow such as you see fit.

If my means seem quixotic, and lead straight up without handholds....

Be happy in knowing I am doing (nearly) Precisely what I want to do.

Y'all do that too. *S*  (Like you need permission...right...*L*)

asvjerry,

I don’t think anyone can take your post in a negative light. It was one of the most "honest" posts I have read in my limited time on these forums.

We sound like we are in similar places. Priority #1 being the business, both the daytime one that has allowed me to be deeply involved with many technologies that I find very interesting, not to mention all the people I have met, and the "night-time" hobby one of spending other people’s money on fun stuff.

I would call maintaining the families health also Priority #1, and a little bit of heaven on the water #3.

Spending other people’s money satisfies any "gotta have it" urges I may have. For my own stuff, these days, I am far more focused on what --I-- can do w.r.t. my audio system. I like nice things, but the ability to purchase "things", long stopped contributing any sense of self worth. Having a fellow audiophile positively comment on the sound of your system before knowing you designed and built a good portion of it yourself ..... you can’t put a price on that.

I've found that spending is easier than being frugal. It's much easier to hit "Add To Cart" or run the debit card and get the purchase over with but spending the time and effort to find the bargain can be way more rewarding. I still get the sound I want and as a bonus I get to see the difference in my account.