Would you still be frugal if you win the lottery?

To me, frugality means spending money on things I actually value instead of nonsense. If I had 50 million to my name, I’d probably get a personal assistant and a much nicer house, but I wouldn’t buy a sports car or spend it on shopping sprees.

That said I would value my time far more. I wouldn’t spend 5 minutes to save $10, just like I don’t spend 5 minutes to save a dime now.

I would still live much like I do now, not buying crap I don’t need. But I think that’s the minimalist, anti-consumerist in me rather than being frugal. I’d buy better quality food at farmers markets and local stores, though. And I’d spend more on experiences. 

Yes. Definitely..

I’m frugal not because I’m not wealthy. I’m frugal because I want to be as effective as possible with my wealth so I can stay that way, support charities, and my children and grandchildren.

That wouldn’t change if I won the lottery.

I like to think that I would become a patron to the arts and local farmers/producers in my area, on a much grander scale than I have been able to be, on my current budget.

It would be fun to find opportunities to surprise people who are in need, like those folks who distract someone while they pay for all their groceries for them.

But, you know, budget for that.

I would value time over money, so if coupons are going to cost me time, i won’t bother to use them.

I wouldn’t automatically buy the expensive version of stuff; I’d still get Hanes underwear at Target, for example.

I think I would be even more frugal. Right now, I still spend money in many ways that I could rein in.

But of course I need that thrift store dress, when I spend almost all my money on bills. If all my bills were paid and I was filling up savings accounts, I might not feel inclined to go into the thrift store at all.

My family brags about deals like it’s a competitive sport; I love thrifting and BIFL for the thrill of the hunt trying to find the best mixture of quality and price. That said, I’d retire almost immediately, move, hire a housekeeper, and devote myself to my hobbies, including a new real estate hobby. I’d probably also stop wearing clothes not made of cashmere or silk.

My husband laughs so hard about how damn cheap I would still be even if we had millions in the bank and had nothing to worry about ever again. He isn’t wrong.

Yeah, cuz I wouldn’t tell anyone.

Might be a little less frugal but just a bit.

I wouldn’t spend my money on nonsense. I will spend it on things and experiences I value, that add meaning and purpose to my life, my family and friends’ lives, and make things easy for me. I wouldn’t be stupid by going on shopping sprees like most scarcity mindset people when they get money.

Would I pay off my debt, my parents debt and the debt of a friend I know struggling? Yeah. Would I buy fine, 22k jewellery, and pure 24k gold bars and coins as appreciating asset? Yes. Would I invest more in stocks and ETFs? Yes. Would I buy a property for myself, my sister and parents to live in? Yes. Would I travel? Yes.

Would I elevate my wardrobe a bit? Yes but I’m still not spending more than $400 on any item of clothing, shoes, or sunglasses. Hand bags…I might go around 1k, TOPS. It’s not gonna be a house full of stuff though. In fact, I’ll probably have even less things then than I do now.

Would I pay for housekeeping and laundry service for myself and my elderly parents? Yes! Would I invest in a good coffee machine so I’m never paying $6-7+ for coffee ever? Yes. Would I help others more? Of course. Yeah, I’ll do those things…but I aint blowing money like a fool.

Yes and no. I’d probably eat out everyday, but you won’t catch me paying for delivery.

100% yes. Nothing could break these deeply installed habits lol

I would pay off my home, maybe buy a new small car. Then I would hire an estate attorney and get my affairs in order.

Absolutely not. Even if a 5m jackpot, I would live a much higher lifestyle just on the gains conservatively invested. A different tier of frugal.

I would look forward to going to the grocery store without a sales ad in hand to find the stuff on sale. Im not paying for grocery delivery.

I’d buy or lease a new Honda/Toyota instead of a 5 year old.

I’d also do these things without going to work every day. Might work part time depending on what I’ve got going on. But I certainly wouldnt be working every day.

Id be frugal for someone getting paid 150k/yr but not as much for someone earning 50k.

Tbh, No

Yes because you loose access to Medicaid because that’s what they tried doing before and with project 2025 it will happen this time.

I wouldn’t chase the game anymore. I wouldn’t churn credit cards to travel and instead I’d just pick the most convenient, fastest flight and simply pay for first class every dang time, but I wouldn’t bother with a private jet bc that feels wasteful. I would pay for hotels that have 2 rooms so my kid isn’t squeezing to find a spot on the one king bed. I wouldn’t bother with the Fred meyer coupon app or ratuken or coupon codes anymore. I would probably get a cat, fuck it, id get 2 and I’d get a machine that does the litter. I’d for fuckin sure hire someone to paint the inside of my house instead of me doing it and I’d change some stuff I don’t like in the house but will never change bc it’s all just too much and not necessary, but still grinds on my gears nonetheless. I’d have a handy person on speed dial bc I just don’t like doing house stuff even though I do it. I wouldn’t rent out my place anymore and instead solely have it for friends and family when we’re gone. I’d do the pricey annual daily membership at my favorite spa that I only do once a month now. I’d tell my husband, fuck it, join that $180/no pickleball club instead of doing the once a month free pass thing. I’d go to the movies on any day and not just cheap Tuesdays. 

And I’d be excited to donate to literally any kid who stops me to talk for 5 minutes about planned Parenthood and climate change. Here, take my money instead of what I do now: pretending to be in a meeting while walking. I’d go to the grocery store and buy someone else’s groceries. That would be so much fun to do on a regular basis. 

But I’d still be frugal in that I don’t like buying stuff, especially clothes and chotckes. I’ll keep my sneakers and bras for too long and I’ll still make my own deodorant and not shave and I’ll patch my jeans when they get a hole. And id still eat at home mainly bc I just don’t like the restaurant experience. Maybe on special occasions I’d hire a chef, but not on the regular. And I’d still only bring a carry on for short and long vacations. And I would definitely still be shocked at how much a mocktail costs. 

I’m “culturally” frugal, as in I grew up poor so frugality is literally my way of life and always has been. I don’t think it would change even if I had tons of money all of a sudden.

Yes, buy what I need. Consider my wants, give to the community.