That's me at Linen's-n-Things (no BBBY in our city). I buy the LNT cards with a rewards credit card (2% back) and at a 10% discount, the use the gift cards with 20% off coupons, and recently bought a 20+ piece cookware set for cheaper than free after two rebates. I'm the thriftiest guy I know ;)

On the dining - I do have the low-maintenance raised bed garden (e.g. plant and forget), which includes potatoes and onions, two staples in my home. I shop at the local Wal-mart and Kroger for groceries, buying gift cards at discount on eBay (which also can be used for gas at both). When I dine out, I use the iDine program, a rewards credit card, and will use coupons from the Entertainment book (or local publications) at the same time.

I've always couponed and rebated for as long as I can remember. I have become "greener" lately in an effort to help the environment and save money (for instance, I've cut waaaay down on my paper towel use by using re-usable and washable cloth towels).

I ride my bike more now to run errands. I have done this in the past but I do it even more now.

I also put all my regular expenses on my AMEX rewards card and turn in points for G/Cs. I don't buy anything I would not have bought anyways, but this way I'm earning points and earning gift certs. And the bill gets paid in full each month so no finance charges

I'm not thrifty while shopping. But I hate to waste things that I already bought, specially food.

Kate's general description fits me as well. The way I look at it, the more money I save by being thrifty on the things that aren't a big deal to me, the more I have to blow on the things that are.

Thrifty: Always bring my lunch from home instead of going out; drive cars until they die (my current Honda Accord will turn 16 this fall, and there's no end in sight!); ride my bike to work whenever possible; buy nonperishable groceries online (Amazon) when possible (and when shipping is free).

Spendthrift: Ride a bike (not my commuter bike) that's worth more than my car:eek:; splurge on nicer hotels (like the club room at the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore^); don't think twice about $3 or $4 coffee, as long as it's good.

We're really thrifty to the point of not buying things unless they're on sale. Before anyone thinks we're deprived, we're also debt free. Cars are 9 and 11 years old. We use coupons and rebates, shop at thrift and consignment stores, and stock up on sale items, especially buy 1, get 1 free. The freezer and pantry are full of produce from our garden. We dress very well, travel on FF miles, eat out on special occasions, and have a great life. It's not about how much you have - it's how you use it.

I like to think of myself as frugal, not cheap. Now I sound like Estelle Getty! I just love fatwallet.com, where I can get free samples and great deals.