Last week, we explored What it Means to be Frugal. I enjoyed reading all your comments and thoughts on the subject. I know Being Frugal is a HOT topic, but I also gather that it is controversial. Why is that? Is it because we all have different definitions? Or because, as Charlene at A Virtuous Woman stated, our “Frugal Meters” are set at varying places? Or maybe because it has become competitive and another item to judge others on?
Before tackling these questions, we need to discuss what being frugal is NOT.
Waste Not.
Being frugal involves effectively using one’s resources. As Carrie at It’s Frugal Being Green pointed out, being Frugal involves more than just finding a good deal, it is buying things that you need, want, and will use. Remember, from the definition, being frugal involves not wasting. How does it benefit you if you are buying items that you will never use? Are those items just sitting on a shelf waiting to expire? Or worse, you’re taking products you won’t use when someone else needs them?
Tia from Tia Saving Cents also brought up the point that freebies can fit into this area if they are cluttering your life. Time is one of our resources and if they are taking too much, then it may be necessary to cut back. Just this week, Northern Cheapskate discussed Greediness and Freebies, which discusses the negative side of freebies. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there is anything wrong with getting freebies as long as they are not creating a negative impact. How do getting FREEBIES affect you?
Value Your Budget, Not the Sale
Being Frugal does not mean that we need to shop every sale or use every coupon that we come across. A good deal is relative to a person’s needs, wants, and budget. If you are spending more on unnecessary items just to find that “great deal”, is it really worth it? Wouldn’t you rather save your money for something you need? Isn’t that what being Frugal is about?
The same goes for coupons. I know many people argue that they may spend more with coupons because they are buying things they normally would not buy. They argue that using coupons can lead to buying useless junk. In this case, I would say to stop using coupons. Coupons alone do not save you money. It is pairing them with a sale for items that you need/want (things you would buy anyhow) that can save you.
Personal Note:
I personally love finding a great sale and have been tempted to buy things just because of the deal, but I have to ask myself if it is worth it. I must be wise, and use my SENSE, to decide if a deal really is a good deal for me or my family. With that said, it is important for you, my readers, to know that every deal I post on Saving Cents with Sense may not be the best for you, but it may be perfect for someone else. I hope that by posting deals I find, freebies, and coupon match-ups, that I am able to help you save, and ultimately use your resources in the way you want.
Who Knew Saving Was Competitive???
I know I’ve been alluding to this for the past 2 weeks and readers Brooke and Erin gave some of their thoughts on the competitive nature of Being Frugal. However, since I think this topic deserves attention, I think it deserves its own post. Make sure you stop by next week as we dive deeper into the competitive nature of being frugal (and subscribe if you haven’t already to make sure you don’t miss anything).
Until then, what are your thoughts on buying items you don’t need just to get a great sale? Do you buy things your family doesn’t need, but donate them to shelters, etc?
UPDATE: Continue reading the series in: Frugality is Not a Competitive Sport
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