Is Being Frugal Actually Hurting You?

There are some valid points here, and some that apply to me in both a good and bad way. I very seldom do coupons, because they do not generally make coupons for what I want. I try to go with good major appliances, but although I have a good refrigerator, I purchased the wrong one for how I like to live and shop. I will go for a more costly one the next time. What we have to remember is we are not the tool of money, money is our tool to get us the life we need or want.

There is a difference between being cheap and being frugal out of necessity. Common sense comes with true frugality.

There are a few good points in the article, like the cutting corners and not being healthy parts. For the rest, I do not use coupons, but I do not think that I lose a lot of time when checking an online shopping comparison site to see where are the best offers, and the "not buying quality" is less and less true today : for example, any computer/phone/electronic gadget will be obsolete after 3 years, they are all made in China today, and people are not paying for quality but for a brand. The only things that might be compared are the technical specificities of items : with the same specificities they will probably last exactly the same time, whatever the price, because they are probably assembled in the same plant.

For us being frugal is about surviving on what we have.

sometimes. also people enjoy life not being frugal. like eating out and buying stuff. and not doing these things can backfire.

I think I was frugal today at Dollar General. My husband needed a small strainer...I found a sink strainer for $1. I got my dollar bill and a quarter out of my wallet. I expected the cashier to say $1.10 or close to that. She said $1.91. I told her the sign on the strainer says $1.00. She went to check and yes it was mis-marked, should have said $1.75 so since they were wrong I got it for $1.00 plus tax. If the line had been long behind me I probably would have just paid the $1,91.

I am careful with what I buy. I look at the quality of the item and if it is cheap looking I will not buy it. Many people tell me to go to the dollar store for cleaning supplies. When you look at what you get for the money, it isn't a bargain. The containers are much smaller and it is less expensive in the long run to buy a larger container. Cookware is inferior and cheaply made. Use it once and toss it out. That isn't a savings.

I agree with that article 100%. Some are so frugal, I feel a lot of life is missed out on because obsession takes over too.

I research things before I go and buy them. Nothing wrong with being frugal. I will not buy something if it looks to cheap.

I find that Dollar Store products are mostly not made of good quality so I end up having to buy more sooner than if I bought them say, from Safeway.

How interesting.

well I don't have to worry about it because no one can accuse me of being frugal or cheap! haha

Thanks for the heads up! That's definitely a new perspective that many people (especially on this site) should hear.

Like someone else mentioned, there's a difference between being cheap and being frugal. Sometimes being frugal means paying a little bit more for a good quality item than paying less for cheap junk that will need to be replaced quickly.

I can agree aboit the amount of time it takes to cut and sort coupons then look for the deals, but it was always enjoyable for me. I wish I could get motivated to get back into couponing and have the money to shop with.

Being frugal is a way of life for me. I avoided those problems in other ways - for example I would choose a good quality second-hand item over a cheap but poor-quality new one. Or sometimes just spend the money on good new stuff if necessary, knowing it will last. To avoid feeling deprived I would buy a little bottle of nice shampoo or something now and then. Yes it cost a pound or two more than a big bottle of budget stuff but it made me feel like I had a little treat!

I personally dont like cheap people, being smart with your money is one thing but I know a few who rather starve so they wont have to spend a dollar or two on a meal

I know a couple who has done this for years. I actually thought that it was rather sweet. I can totally relate. Our budget has been trimmed to the max on more than one occasion. Why should the card company have the money that would buy me a dozen eggs and feed our family a couple of meals...

Not always, im always looking at what l buy and think if it`s worth getting new or used.And, not everyone is frugal by choice, sometimes it`s the only way. Things l dont want to buy used are electronics,im worried of the bill should they mess up the electric at my place.Not to say l never buy used.

I think it depends on the situation and person. My situation is that I have to be frugal but I choose to embrace it and not let it be a downer. I find a lot of things that to do for free, or concerts that I can tickets for free or cheap, so I do not really feel deprived. I have made being frugally almost into a hobby/lifestyle. Being frugal can be a great tool.