<p>"People all around scuttled passed us, arms deep in fabric, on the hunt for more. Here she was, in full European frugality, resisting the vocation of every American to rip their wallets a new one"</p>
<p>The first sentence is to provide some context, but the second is where I need the help.</p>
<p>Does "in full European frugality" make sense? What I'm trying to say is that this girl was resisting the temptation to spend money, even though everyone around her was spending like crazy.</p>
<p>Also, how can I rephrase "rip their wallets a new one"? I thought it sounded decent, until a quick Google search forever ruined that phrase for me <em>shudder</em> lol.</p>