Frugal Scotsmen

[ChattanCat]

Hi folks,
Just got off of the "bay", looking for some great deals. Now I spent 1 - 2 hours looking for good deals. Found little that I wanted to afford.

Why do scots spend so much time looking for a great deal on everything and then go buy a tank? If scotsmen are so frugal, why spend hundreds of dollars on clothing? Frugal YES, but why develop a garment that requires 8 yards of material? And all the accessories, sporrans arrn't cheap, sgian dubhs, dirks, balmorals, fly's, argylls, PC's...

Help me understand!

[Rex_Tremende]

Because frugal is not the same thing as cheap.

Regards,
Rex.

[McMurdo]

Frugal and Cheap are not the same thing though, my first kilt was hand sewn in Aberdeen for my father in 1950 he gave it to me to wear about 2 or 3 years ago
it is still a wonderful garment although it did shrink while hanging in the back of the closet, or so says my dad. So now the kilt is into it's service of a second life, I'd say that is good value for the money.

I found this as a definition of Frugality:
Frugality (also known as thrift or thriftiness), often confused with cheapness or miserliness, is a traditional value, life style, or belief system, in which individuals practice both restraint in the acquiring of and resourceful use of economic goods and services in order to achieve lasting and more fulfilling goals. In a money-based economy, frugality emphasizes economical use of money in meeting long term personal, familial, and communal desires. Might also mean economical or avoiding waste.

[Standard]

Frugal does not equal cheap. Frugal has always been, getting a good deal for sure. More importantly getting a quality item, even at a higher price than a chelp item when it will far outlast that cheap item and not need to be replaced as soon as, or in the case of a well made tank if ever. Also the DYI forum on here is a good example of frugality at work.

[highlander_Daz]

Buy cheap you buy twice ! thats why

Id say Canny rather than frugal.

just for the record Scots comtribute more to charity per head than any other country in the UK

[Arlen]

Frugal YES, but why develop a garment that requires 8 yards of material? And all the accessories, sporrans arrn't cheap, sgian dubhs, dirks, balmorals, fly's, argylls, PC's...

Help me understand!

I think it's clear you understand the difference between frugal and cheap, so I won't get on that.

Here's my idea of why all the expensive accessories... THEY LOOK GOOD.


Need we have any more explanation?

[Ozman1944]

Being dubbed by my own mother as the "Tight Scottie" in the family(?) I also find a great difference between 'cheap' and frugal.
For example; I have mostly less expensive kilts at this time, as they are dependent on a sensible budget, (and the good ol' Vow of Poverty) However, the instant a windfall is received, (Lord, are You listening??) and i have responsibly paid all bills etc. then Matt Newsome, watch out, I'm sending an order your way!

On Quality there is no limit. Scots hesitate - not go cheap, as we want to ensure we are getting proper value for our expenditure. If the answer is 'Yes" then we forge ahead.

[Larry124]

That subject has often been discussed here.
And of course always in a calm and thoughtful and respectful manner.

I’m an Econobite rather than a Tankist but I’ll attempt to be even-handed.

It is frugal in the broad and long-term sense to acquire a kilt of high quality materials and of highly skilled construction. Such a garment can last a lifetime and more. It pays the maximum of respect to the tradition and practice of The National Dress of Scotland.

Or, they are impractical overpriced luxury fashion costume items for fops, dandies, snobs, and stuffed shirts, etc.
[Incorrect, unfair, and offensive exaggeration.]

It is also frugal in the narrow and short-term sense to acquire a mass produced kilt of “sufficient” quality materials and modern machine mass-produced construction. Such a garment can last as long as any other casual or economy clothing. The tartan examples pay respect to The National Dress of Scotland.

Or, they are trash, garbage, rubbish, and cheap plastic dishrags for punks, slobs, hooligans, and those who don’t know any better, etc. [Incorrect, unfair, and offensive exaggeration.]

[macwilkin]

Hi folks,
Just got off of the "bay", looking for some great deals. Now I spent 1 - 2 hours looking for good deals. Found little that I wanted to afford.

Why do scots spend so much time looking for a great deal on everything and then go buy a tank? If scotsmen are so frugal, why spend hundreds of dollars on clothing? Frugal YES, but why develop a garment that requires 8 yards of material? And all the accessories, sporrans arrn't cheap, sgian dubhs, dirks, balmorals, fly's, argylls, PC's...

Help me understand!

As my Scottish grandmother always explained, "being frugal means buying only the best so you don't have to keep replacing it."

Of course, our "instant gratification" society would shock my grandmother, who also said that anything worth having was worth waiting (and saving) for.

T.

[Pleater]

In the Diskworld novels there is a character called Sam Vimes - Commander of the Watch in the city of Ankh-Morpork.

He has a take on buying boots which is slightly relevant.

A poor man will buy a pair of boots for ten dollars, and wear them for a year even though they started to let in the water long before then.

A rich man will buy a pair of boots for fifty dollars and they will keep the water out and last for a long time.

Ten years down the line the poor man has paid out double the price of a pair of good boots, and he still has wet feet.

Under his command, however, Vimes has an ex soldier who collected boots from the battlefields - from those who no longer had much use for them, and went into the second hand boot market, with sidelines in teeth and jewelry.

I supose it is all a matter of examining the options.....