NationStates Jolt Archive

Penny Pinching might be too harsh a term for this thread, but it's on the right track.

I was getting my hair cut this morning, and I started thinking about the things that I do to save a little cash. For example, about 6 months ago, the last time I was at my hair dressers, I asked for cut but with dry hair, and she said it was better with wet hair because the lines are straighter. Fair enough, I asked how much the same cut would cost with wet hair, and she said it was an extra £15. £15! .... To wash my hair!.. So I invested in some good shampoo, and I now go to the hair dressers with wet hair, they don’t mind, and I save myself £15.

I do a lot of 'buy one get free' stuff when it comes to the supermarket

SNIP/EDIT: in an effort to keep this thread topical, I have removed the section of my original post that has been interpreted by some as stealing.

What do you do to save a few *insert national currency here*?

Penny Pinching might be too harsh a term for this thread, but it's on the right track.

I was getting my hair cut this morning, and I started thinking about the things that I do to save a little cash. For example, about 6 months ago, the last time I was at my hair dressers, I asked for cut but with dry hair, and she said it was better with wet hair because the lines are straighter. Fair enough, I asked how much the same cut would cost with wet hair, and she said it was an extra £15. £15! .... To wash my hair!.. So I invested in some good shampoo, and I now go to the hair dressers with wet hair, they don’t mind, and I save myself £15.

I do a lot of 'buy one get free' stuff when it comes to the supermarket, and when I'm clothes shopping and there's a sale on, I'll take the cheap price sticker and stick it on something more expensive that I want, take it to the till, and when they ring it up at full price I kick off and say "But it was in the sale section, and there's a sticker on it, false advertising, I want it at a discount", and even though I might not get it at sticker price, they tend to knock some money off.

What do you do to save a few *insert national currency here*?
I don't like to get involved with fraud, but I try to buy generic or store label food wherever I can. It saves me a couple hundred jacos a month on my food bill.

I do a lot of 'buy one get free' stuff when it comes to the supermarket, and when I'm clothes shopping and there's a sale on, I'll take the cheap price sticker and stick it on something more expensive that I want, take it to the till, and when they ring it up at full price I kick off and say "But it was in the sale section, and there's a sticker on it, false advertising, I want it at a discount", and even though I might not get it at sticker price, they tend to knock some money off.
Dude, there's a line between thrift and theft!

I buy clothes, books and music at charity shops. Sometimes you get good stuff there, and I would often buy rather plain clothes there and manipulate them myself to improve them.

I never buy take away coffee/tea, and rarely eat out.

On nights out I usually bring my own food with me rather than go to the late night take-away like other people. I cycle everywhere rather than use taxis.

Dude, there's a line between thrift and theft!

I buy clothes, books and music at charity shops. Sometimes you get good stuff there, and I would often buy rather plain clothes there and manipulate them myself to improve them.

I never buy take away coffee/tea, and rarely eat out.

On nights out I usually bring my own food with me rather than go to the late night take-away like other people. I cycle everywhere rather than use taxis.

lol. Yes yes, bad me. Clothing mark ups are just SO reasonable aren't they?

I love second hand shops too, and ebay!

I don't like to get involved with fraud, but I try to buy generic or store label food wherever I can. It saves me a couple hundred jacos a month on my food bill.

Store lable food is actually quite good.

I try to buy my meat, fish & veg at the market because it's cheaper.

Dude, there's a line between thrift and theft!

I buy clothes, books and music at charity shops. Sometimes you get good stuff there, and I would often buy rather plain clothes there and manipulate them myself to improve them.

I never buy take away coffee/tea, and rarely eat out.

On nights out I usually bring my own food with me rather than go to the late night take-away like other people. I cycle everywhere rather than use taxis.

What do you take a packed lunch with you on a night out?

Store lable food is actually quite good.

I try to buy my meat, fish & veg at the market because it's cheaper.
Frozen fruit and vegetables are usually cheaper because they're frozen at the production line and the handling costs are lower than with fresh produce and because they haven't been sitting out, they haven't lost any nutritional content, so they're actually better for you than fresh!
EDIT: Before the argument starts, I'll just say that I know my last sentence is controversial because there is no consensus. But that's for another thread.

Frozen fruit and vegetables are usually cheaper because they're frozen at the production line and the handling costs are lower than with fresh produce and because they haven't been sitting out, they haven't lost any nutritional content, so they're actually better for you than fresh!

This is true but my freezer is tiny.. I'm lucky to get my meat for the week and one packet of frozen veg in there. I do buy it though, but the market is near work, so if I want something specific I'll get it on the way home.

I also walk everywhere.. I live mid way between my office and the town centre. So I can walk to work, and walk into town. I only drive if I really need to.

Iwhen I'm clothes shopping and there's a sale on, I'll take the cheap price sticker and stick it on something more expensive that I want, take it to the till, and when they ring it up at full price I kick off and say "But it was in the sale section, and there's a sticker on it, false advertising, I want it at a discount", and even though I might not get it at sticker price, they tend to knock some money off.

That's not only unethical, but it's also illegal.

That's not only unethical, but it's also illegal.

and I dont care :D

seriously, the mark ups on these things are astonishing - and, I'm sure the people who made the clothes get the same crappy payment regardless of what the store makes once they've purchased it from the manufacturor and sold it on.

I've seen people do much worse. There as a couple of a sofa shop looking for something new, and they deliberately scratched the wooden leg on a sofa they liked to get money off it.

EDIT: Generally I do pay full price for clothes and shoes etc. Occasionally I wont. *shrug*

This is true but my freezer is tiny.. I'm lucky to get my meat for the week and one packet of frozen veg in there. I do buy it though, but the market is near work, so if I want something specific I'll get it on the way home.
That can save you money, too, because you're less likely to buy stuff that you "might" make, but never wind up using, so it's just wasted money. At least you're eating healthier than most people. :D

I also walk everywhere.. I live mid way between my office and the town centre. So I can walk to work, and walk into town. I only drive if I really need to.
Very convenient, I'm actually a little jealous. I'm only four miles from base and it takes me less than 10 minutes to drive there, so I'd ordinarily ride a bike or something but (1) with my mid-back problems I'm not allowed to ride on the street and (2) it's 90% downhill one way which unfortunately means it's 90% uphill the other way (the way home, specifically).

There as a couple of a sofa shop looking for something new, and they deliberately scratched the wooden leg on a sofa they liked to get money off it.

Oh yeah... like LOL. When I want things, I just go into the shop and like... take them out without paying. :rolleyes:

What makes you think that theft is acceptable?

That can save you money, too, because you're less likely to buy stuff that you "might" make, but never wind up using, so it's just wasted money. At least you're eating healthier than most people. :D


Very convenient, I'm actually a little jealous. I'm only four miles from base and it takes me less than 10 minutes to drive there, so I'd ordinarily ride a bike or something but (1) with my mid-back problems I'm not allowed to ride on the street and (2) it's 90% downhill one way which unfortunately means it's 90% uphill the other way (the way home, specifically).

get some skates :D

It is VERY convenient, I'm very lucky.

and I dont care :D

And I don't care about your attempts at excusing your behaviour. You're a thief and a liar.

Oh yeah... like LOL. When I want things, I just go into the shop and like... take them out without paying. :rolleyes:

What makes you think that theft is acceptable?

I dont take things without paying at all, that I wouldnt do, & it doesnt always work.

I dont consider it theft. I know many people do and you can think what you want, but retail stores deliberatly put their prices up to cover the costs of shoplifters and insurance and damages etc, so occasionally, and ONLY occasionally, i try it on.. cuz i can ;)

i know i know.. i'm going to hell. I hear it's nice this time of year

get some skates :D

HAHHAHA! You ever tried going uphill in skates? LOL, I'd rather do it on the bike (assuming it was allowed).

And I don't care about your attempts at excusing your behaviour. You're a thief and a liar.

on certain things, yes, yes I am.

HAHHAHA! You ever tried going uphill in skates? LOL, I'd rather do it on the bike (assuming it was allowed).

lol, I have actually, and yeah, maybe not such a hot idea.

on certain things, yes, yes I am.

And that's nothing to boast about as some sort of twisted exploit. You should be ashamed of yourself.

lol. Yes yes, bad me. Clothing mark ups are just SO reasonable aren't they?
Yes, good point. I was hardly outraged anyway. Depends on the shop. Most high street shops deserve "theft".

What do you take a packed lunch with you on a night out?
Sandwiches.

I dont take things without paying at all,
Yes, you do. You (attempt to) deceive stores into under charging you.
that I wouldnt do, & it doesnt always work.
That you do do, and I am glad it doesn't always work. I hope you get caught, actually.
I dont consider it theft.
Your self-assuring considerations do not change the fact that it is illegal. You could be fined or cautioned or be sent to jail.
I know many people do and you can think what you want,
How considerate of you.
but retail stores deliberatly put their prices up to cover the costs of shoplifters and insurance and damages etc,
So really, what you're saying is "I steal so that other customers have to pay more"
so occasionally, and ONLY occasionally, i try it on.. cuz i can ;)
You can but you mayn't.
i know i know.. i'm going to hell. I hear it's nice this time of year
Har. Har.

Yes, good point. I was hardly outraged anyway. Depends on the shop. Most high street shops deserve "theft".

I (EDIT) wouldn't do it willy nilly on reputable brands that are of decent quality and standards.

I know it's a twisted logic, but meh, I'm sure I'll grow out of it.

and I was totally aware that I'd get laid into on here for admitting it.

That's not only unethical, but it's also illegal.
It's not always unethical.

It's not always unethical.

Defrauding purposefully so that one may profit from an illegal act at the expense of someone else is always unethical.

[QUOTE=ConscribedComradeship]Yes, you do. You (attempt to) deceive stores into under charging you.

I was under the impression that to take without paying AT ALL is actually totally different to attempting to obtain a disount. My Bad?

That you do do, and I am glad it doesn't always work. I hope you get caught, actually.

The idea is, if they dont disCount it I pay full price. So there's nothing really to catch.

Your self-assuring considerations do not change the fact that it is illegal. You could be fined or cautioned or be sent to jail.

This is true.

snip

and we're off topic a little

Anyone else with any money saving tactics?

Lets leave the judgement for another thread shall we? Feel free to start one.

I was under the impression that to take without paying AT ALL is actually totally different to attempting to obtain a disount. My Bad?
No, they are inextricably linked.
The idea is, if they dont disount it I pay full price. So there's nothing really to catch.
It is the store's decision whether or not to discount an item. It is not yours.

"If I try to steal an item but am caught, then really there was nothing to catch" huh?

snip
Oh, so you don't feel that you are responsible for other customers being charged higher prices...

and we're off topic a little

Oh hardly, considering that you started this topic boasting about how you occasionally steal clothes.

I suppose this all depends on the definition of "pinch" being used.

Defrauding purposefully so that one may profit from an illegal act at the expense of someone else is always unethical.

On what ethical basis do you make this claim? You aren't some kind of Kantian, are you?

It is the store's decision whether or not to discount an item. It is not yours.

Yes it is. If they decide not to discount the item, I pay full price.

Oh, so you don't feel that you are responsible for other customers being charged higher prices...

To an extent I suppose I should.

Oh hardly, considering that you started this topic boasting about how you occasionally steal clothes.
I wasn't actually boasting about it. The topic is not 'lets boast about things that can be considered wrong".. it's "what do you do to save a few quid" and that's one of the things I've done in the past, not so much recently, like once in the last year, if that. Not that it makes it any more excuseable to some people.

I suppose this all depends on the definition of "pinch" being used.

Yup

On what ethical basis do you make this claim? You aren't some kind of Kantian, are you?

I base it on all kinds of ethics, not to mention common sense, that state that theft and fraud for no other reason but greed are unethical. You can be how meta you want about it - the OP is a lying thief.

I base it on all kinds of ethics, not to mention common sense, that state that theft and fraud for no other reason but greed are unethical. You can be how meta about it you want - the OP is a lying thief.

A liar, and a thief, certainly, by their own confession.

However, not all kinds of ethics condemn theft and fraud - Hobbesian ethics, for example, would not automatically consider them to be transgressions.

Let us imagine that we're back in 1940: would it be unethical to defraud and swindle the Nazi party?

Or similarly, would it be unethical to defraud and swindle in order to feed your starving family if there were no other options available to you?

A liar, and a thief, certainly, by their own confession.

However, not all kinds of ethics condemn theft and fraud - Hobbesian ethics, for example, would not automatically consider them to be transgressions.

Let us imagine that we're back in 1940: would it be unethical to defraud and swindle the Nazi party?


Dunno.
It would be cool to defraud and swindle 'em, and find out how we felt about it.

Yes it is. If they decide not to discount the item, I pay full price.
And the store has the right not to be illegally tricked into discounting its products.
To an extent I suppose I should.
Yes.
I wasn't actually boasting about it. The topic is not 'lets boast about things that can be considered wrong".. it's "what do you do to save a few quid" and that's one of the things I've done in the past, not so much recently, like once in the last year, if that. Not that it makes it any more excuseable to some people.
Boasting, talking about "good" ways to save money. Same difference.

Penny Pinching might be too harsh a term for this thread, but it's on the right track.

I was getting my hair cut this morning, and I started thinking about the things that I do to save a little cash. For example, about 6 months ago, the last time I was at my hair dressers, I asked for cut but with dry hair, and she said it was better with wet hair because the lines are straighter. Fair enough, I asked how much the same cut would cost with wet hair, and she said it was an extra £15. £15! .... To wash my hair!.. So I invested in some good shampoo, and I now go to the hair dressers with wet hair, they don’t mind, and I save myself £15.

I do a lot of 'buy one get free' stuff when it comes to the supermarket, and when I'm clothes shopping and there's a sale on, I'll take the cheap price sticker and stick it on something more expensive that I want, take it to the till, and when they ring it up at full price I kick off and say "But it was in the sale section, and there's a sticker on it, false advertising, I want it at a discount", and even though I might not get it at sticker price, they tend to knock some money off.

What do you do to save a few *insert national currency here*?

You show me where in that post I use the term 'Good ways to save money'

I said 'ways that I save money'.. I never said good.

You show me where in that post I use the term 'Good ways to save money'

I said 'ways that I save money'.. I never said good.

Then you confess that what you do is bad, I am to take it?

Then you confess that what you do is bad, I am to take it?

Nope. She pleads not having entered a description.
Take away the adjectives, and you usually are denuded of the propaganda.

Nope. She pleads not having entered a description.
Take away the adjectives, and you usually are denuded of the propaganda.

"Penny Pinchers Unite!" implies a certain level of goodness, no?

"Penny Pinchers Unite!" implies a certain level of goodness, no?

Nope. It appeals to a common denominator.

Does 'Proletarians of the World, unite!' imply a goodness?

Does 'Scumbags of the World, unite!' imply a goodness?

Then you confess that what you do is bad, I am to take it?

I'm saying it's my choice, and if there are consequences for the actions that I choose then I will face them.

We've established that our definitions of 'theft' vary, and think it's best to just agree to disagree on this one.

I do however understand you view and take on board your comments.

Nope. She pleads not having entered a description.
Take away the adjectives, and you usually are denuded of the propaganda.

:)

Nope. It appeals to a common denominator.

Does 'Proletarians of the World, unite!' imply a goodness?

Does 'Scumbags of the World, unite!' imply a goodness?

They imply something to celebrate or rejoice.

Let us imagine that we're back in 1940: would it be unethical to defraud and swindle the Nazi party?

Yes. The fact that they might be evil bitches does not change anything in the act itself if the act is for nothing but greed - it's just a feeble attempt to shirk responsibility.

"Oh, he's rich, he can afford me stealing from him." "Oh, he's a mean man, so I'll just slash his tyres." "Oh, that bitch didn't want to have sex with me, so I'll cut her." "They're Sami, so I'll just take their land." "They're Indians and they don't want to give us their land, so I'll just give them these smallpox blankets."

It's so easy to invent excuses for unethical behaviour that put the responsibility on someone else. "They didn't discount the clothes like I wanted, so I'll lie and trick them into doing it."

Or similarly, would it be unethical to defraud and swindle in order to feed your starving family if there were no other options available to you?

Which part of "for no other reason but greed" did you miss? Please, spare me the illiterate irrelevancies that have nothing to do with what this person did.

They imply something to celebrate or rejoice.


Do you want some koolaid with that?

Yes. The fact that they might be evil bitches does not change anything in the act itself if the act is for nothing but greed - it's just a feeble attempt to shirk responsibility.


SNIP





On the other hand, if we assume that they are evil bitches, then every failure to do them a bad turn, is morally wrong in itself.

Do you want some koolaid with that?
How... relevant. :rolleyes:

On the other hand, if we assume that they are evil bitches, then every failure to do them a bad turn, is morally wrong in itself.

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, and, who knows, you might even be able to fool yourself.

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, and, who knows, you might even be able to fool yourself.

How so?

To damage evil is a good thing.

How so?

To damage evil is a good thing.

You want some KoolAid with that?

With my last electric bill, I realized that you can try to save all you want, but the only thing that's really going to help is giving things up - like necessities. In this last months 110+ heat in Southern California, I had the thermostat set at 80^F, cooler than outside, but by no means comfortable, my bill was still in excess of $300. To save I would have to forgo the A/C.

It's one thing to clip coupons, look for sales and shop at thrift stores, but we're to the point now where we have to endanger our health to break even, never mind saving.

Which part of "for no other reason but greed" did you miss? Please, spare me the illiterate irrelevancies that have nothing to do with what this person did.


What I certainly did not miss about 'for no other reason but greed' was that you added this as a caveat to your earlier bold statement

Defrauding purposefully so that one may profit from an illegal act at the expense of someone else is always unethical.

So do you stand by your original claim, or is the tacked on later caveat necessary?