Who else here is frugal?

Ah the mysterious utility function in economics, where just like in audio ( the ear brain interface ) we have the $$$$ / gratification curve.....

guess which are common between the two ??? The brain :-)

no two alike, so no common definition of value either....

value can also be situational...

a guy I love and fish with recycles my used fishing hooks, they are chemically sharpened and dull up and rust after a few days or fish... yet he recycles them anyway...
I don’t fish his tie ups when on his boat...
why ? Lost fish, especially trophy fish....

false economy is no frugality

have fun, enjoy the music

I am one big time. It has allowed me to enjoy this hobby on a beer budget but has enabled  me get the best sound out of both my HT and stereo rigs for thousands less.

Refurbished is what I have taken full  advantage of for years. I love it when I see the word "discontinued" too.

What a pitch!

I also have pursued vintage equipment with the same fevor and it has paid very enjoyable dividens.

I also check out the deep discounts, open box specials, demo, on the popular websites too.

Just yesterday I picked up a pair of Audioquest CV4 cryogenic speaker cables for 40% off retail.

Of course if I had an extra $10 k I would have no qualms paying full retail.

I do the same with music as well.

Best regards in stereo.

I comb these pages and the auction sites/classifieds for equipment I may want while attempting to make good choices. Have neither the time or inclination for diy. Many times I've waited for long periods to see a bargain for what I'm interested in. I guess that's the extent of my frugality. 

“Spending not enough money usually results in more unhappiness than spending a bit too much. Of course spending way too much makes me unhappy as well.”

This resonated with me. After years of ignoring higher end audio due to life I recently got back in. I started off buying too cheap on the used market and I ended up with really good items that didn’t scratch my itch. I finally spent some cash that made me uncomfortable- not because I couldn’t afford but because I was basing prices on equipment I had in the early 80’s. I haven’t fully let go of my yard sale mentality- but I am being very careful about what I buy- and making sure it is going to satisfy whatever void I am looking to fill. 

With all the money I've saved on getting good deals, I'll be able to get a...

Yeah, I'm pretty frugal. Not by choice, but rather by circumstance. The past 5-8 years have been "challenging". Prior to a major change in my life, I don't think anyone would have described me as frugal. Times were different then and I no longer have access to the same resources I once had. 

Not complaining, just being clear in replying to the post. Spend my time on forums reading about peoples systems, what gear has what properties, what tweaks do what - basically trying to educate myself so when the day comes when I have reclaimed my life, I wont be chasing the dream more than necessary. Guess that means I am a changed person, and will not move forward with the same fervor I once did. Thats a good thing :)

So now I build/modify my gear and play with tweaks to see what works, what helps and what doesn't.

I'm so very grateful that I had the opportunity to rediscover my love of music, something that was lost for a very long time. And, I have discovered how much I enjoy adjusting my system and hearing the results of my oh so very frugal efforts.