Ask the Readers: Is It Possible to Be Too Frugal?
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Being frugal is typically something looked upon favorably nowadays. From clipping coupons to buying on sale, most people practice frugality in their day-to-day lives. But is there ever a point where someone can be a little too frugal?
Is it possible to be too frugal? At what point does being frugal become cheap? Or is it impossible to take frugality too far?
Tell us if you think it's possible to be too frugal and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
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YES!! My biggest pet peave is when you are out to dinner with a group, and certain friends put in money but dont include tax or a crummy tip. I guess those people are more cheap than frugal.
Also, sticking to a budget is important. But if it means that you are sacrificing all your fun because you dont want to "waste your money," I find it rediculous.
Saving is important, but so is enjoying life.
Probably
I don't think so. Think of all of the people in this world who truly have nothing. If you're so motivated, be as frugal as you want. Your savings can always go to help those in need worldwide.
If you're in debt to the point where it's difficult to make debt payments and cover your necessary expenses, I don't think it's possible to be too frugal until that pressure is relieved by paying off debts, following a budget, and/or making more money.
But once that point it reached, you should loosen up a little to enjoy life and the results of your frugality.
I think if you're not enjoying life, then you're too frugal.
I think too much of anything can be bad. If you feel deprived or are not even getting to enjoy the fruits of your labor, you're probably too frugal. I choose to pick my battles with frugality -- would argue over a dime for one thing but drop hundreds of dollars for something else.
Liked your page ;)
It's definitely possible to be too frugal! I have a sister who never throws away *anything*! I had to prevent her from washing the paper plates in my house, instead of just throwing them away. Sure it would save a few pennies, but why exert all the extra effort?
If your family is starting to hate you because you're frugal, you might be too frugal.
It is definitely possible to be too frugal. Where I live there is a "cheapskate" column in the Sunday paper. Most of the tips in the column will save the reader $300 over 20 years. To me, that is simply being too frugal. Instead of focusing on cutting such small amounts, you should focus on your career or starting a side business; something that will earn you much more than $300 over 20 years.
Too frugal, I am not certain you can be since frugal is about getting value and enjoyment out of your money and not hurting others. So if you get the value and enjoyment go for it. Cheap is a totally different story and can border on being plain foolish.
I liked on FB and retwittered. Frugal is not only a way of life, it is a mindset. If your mindset is not in sync with the way you are living, you can become "too cheap". "Too cheap" happens when you spend too much time worrying about money and not enjoying the simple lifestyle of frugality
Yes! I was frugal and bought the "cheaper" shorts online. Turns out the fit is TERRIBLE. So instead of saving 10 dollars, I actually lost 16. Sometimes it pays to buy the one you can try on!
Maria
I can't help it, I'm a very literal person: It is impossible to be too frugal since frugal means to 'not be wasteful'. However, I will say that there is a big difference between being frugal and cheap - being frugal means that you shop with care and consume with care so that your efforts and money aren't wasted. Being cheap means you don't care what you get as long as it is cheap.
It absolutely is possible to be too frugal. There's a nebulous line that crosses over into miserly pennypinching. When you are denying yourself basic care (relaxation, happiness, health!) that is just missing the entire point of frugality. It's not to save until it hurts. And anyway, you are probably hurting yourself in the long run as stress, depression, anxiety and poor hygiene can ruin your health.
However, I'm liking this on Facebook for an extra entry. ;)
My aunt was so frugal (in her case afraid to spend money) that she was diagnosed with being malnourished. At the time, she had 10K in a trunk in her bedroom. So yes, all good things can be taken too far.
If you are able to maintain the roof over your head, feed yourself, save some money and maintain good health and cleanliness, you are frugal enough. I see and hear from many people (for instance) that they "can't afford" to go to the doctor, but they have the latest gadgets like a Wii or iPad. That's not prioritizing correctly! In my household, we are frugal in some areas to have the extra money for other areas where we choose to spend more. Neither of us care that our clothes are a little stiff from drying on the clothesline, but the savings allow us to spend more on our groceries for tastier (better) meals.
Using coupons at a restaurant is frugal. Tipping on the reduced bill is cheap.
If you've ever watched the show "Extreme Cheapskate", you'd know it *is* possible to be too frugal. Asking other people for their leftover food from restaurants? Not just gross, but a safety hazard. (although I've seen other ideas from the show I don't consider extreme)
I have "liked" you on Facebook
You can only ask yourself that question. One persons frugality is different from another persons frugality. If you feel you are being too frugal, then that is your answer. If not, then you have acheived a comfortable balance. Personally I believe, being frugal to the point that it negatively impacts the quality of your life, your liberty or the pursuit of your happiness--is being too frugal
If you're quality of life is pretty much non-existent... yes, you are too frugal.