Being frugal is hard when you are not used to it. Frugality does not happen overnight. It will take you months or years to live with it. People often see the effect when you start to spend your money more wisely. In this article we are going to share to all of you about the many different ways people lose money while attempting to live a frugal lifestyle. Some people go crazy and when they realize it, it is too late. All of those listed below people came from confessions of real people all around the US. Are you guys ready to read this? Some of them got funny stories. I hope that you are going to enjoy today’s topic.
- Marrying a Spender – The most common mistake of a person is that why go for the big spender kind of person. I understand that you love him or her but hey, money involves in everything. From marriage, home, kids, and in short, for the rest of our lives! If the one person is frugal and the other person is a spender, then the word savings is useless.
- Buying Bulk Foods – I know that you can’t resist buying food when it is on sale. But always think of how many of you are good eaters. Don’t let the other half of it go to waste. Cook everything! Mix and match the foods. When you buy bulk foods but let the half go to waste then you just spent tons of $$$ on a waste.
- Relying on Cashback – Admit it, when you see the word CASHBACK, your mind is jumping for joy. For example it says that you will have a 5% cashback when you purchase an item. But you are not aware that you can only purchase and use it to designated stores, restaurants, etc., and also some of you must know that earning a cashback has a minimum certain amount that needs to be purchased before earning your cashback. Well, if you can’t reach that amount then no cashback for you so make sure that you ask your banks for lists of where to possibly earn a cashback.
- Garbage Service – A company I knew cancelled their garbage service because it is too expensive. After that, they asked to 2 of the employees to bring home the garbage and paid them $10 every month. But the cost of the employee’s morale loss was more than $10 a month. The solution? They switched to a cheaper garbage service. Guys, don’t ever do that to your employee. Do you know how hard they work just to earn for their family? Before you decide on something, think of it as many times as you can and think like you are on their shoes.
- Cutting Corners in Groceries – What do you get when you cut corners in groceries? LACK OF NUTRITION! If you want to cut corners, go for the ones that you use at home. And not the ones that you eat! Guys, HEALTH is always WEALTH. You are paying for something that is not worth it and the quality is inferior. Go for green, grow some vegetables in your home and start eating fresh.
- Free Mattresses – Come on! Stop getting free mattresses! You don’t know who slept there. You don’t know where it came from and it has bed bugs! Free mattresses are only good to get when you know the owner of it. Or buy a new one! If one mattress will last for 5 years then it is a good purchase then. You don’t have to worry because there are tons of stores and department stores who offer a budget-friendly mattresses. Mattresses help us to be comfortable when we sleep at night or anytime of the day. Accept hand me downs from your family and not on the streets.
- Cheap Cars – You bought a cheap car but the amount that you spent for fixing it is much more than the price of the car then it is not worth it because you are not a mechanic. Always buy a car with an insurance. Just in case your car gets broken and a new car includes maintenance in the package! Some car companies give you a friendly price. Just please don’t go for the cars that you can’t afford to pay it monthly. Go for the ones that you can afford. Brands does not matter. What matters is that you have your own car.
- Hiring a Cheap Babysitter – Someone I knew once hired a cheap babysitter and it turned out to be a meth head. Come on guys, for the safety of our kids. Make sure to investigate and know the background of the babysitter. You will never know what they might do to the kids.
- Cheap Insurance – When it comes to insurance, always opt for the better ones. Cheap insurance will make your life worse and it could empty your pockets! You will just know it when you are involved in an accident (Knock on woods), then you will get nothing in return. In short, you are paying for nothing! The internet is your best friend when finding the right insurance for you and a simple phone call will help you decide that if the money you will spend there is worth paying for.
- Chasing High Interest Savings Long Term Accounts – Now we all need to save. I once knew someone who had savings and he waited years but when he can use the money, it only gave him 2% of the interest only. He expected more than that! But some savings are in long term and when you needed money instantly, they can’t give it to you because it is not the right time. Although it is a good investment but the time is too long before you could touch your savings. Try looking for other banks with the same offer but make sure when you need the money in case of emergencies, you can just get it with your passbook. You don’t need to wait until you reach 70 years old before using your money. Right?
- Reuses Disposable Plastic Spoons/Forks/Knives – Plastics are just good with just one use. Using them is not healthy. Have you observed a plastic bottle when it has been used many times, it creates a smell. A stinky smell rather and it adds taste to food, water and etc. There is a reason why they are called Disposable Plastic Spoons, Forks and Knives. Try switching to stainless utensils. They last long too. It is healthy and you save much more money than reusing disposable utensils and change it in a few months.
- Not Doing Maintenance in Cars, Furnace – People need maintenance to keep healthy and to prolong their lifespan. So is the cars and furnace. If we don’t maintain their health then we just shorten their lifespan. Like I said, always buy a car with an insurance and maintenance. Right? When it comes to furnace, hire someone if you don’t want to get messy.
- Buying Cheap Vacuums – How long does a cheap vacuum last? 4 months! How much does it cost? $100! $100 in 4 months is a waste of money. Why go for the expensive ones and wait for them to be put on sale? It costs $500 but it will last up to 10 years. So which do you prefer? Think about it. If you can’t afford to buy a brand new, there are thrift shops everywhere. You just need to be patient in searching for it.
- Waited Too Long To Get Dental and Medical Care – Health cards is our weapon in times that we need to be treated. Even though it is just a simple toothache. But the suffering that you experienced will not be paid! Get one starting now before it is too late. Don’t let yourself suffer, get health card for you and your family. They offer tons of choices. Choices that fits your budget. Packages that you can’t say no for the sake of your family. Don’t think about the money. Think about your family and your health too.
- Buying Cheap Beer for $35 5x a Week – Some of us have vices. Some of us can’t live without beer. But did it ever cross your mind about the expenses that you made? $35 5x a week. Come on! Just buy a big bottle of liquid and soda for only $12 and it will last up to 1-2 weeks depending on how fast you drink your soda. Be practical guys! Everything is getting expensive.
- Being Cheap to Food that is close to its Expiration – What happens when you buy cheap food? Foods that are close to its expiration date? It will let you pay with medication! Do not risk your health with buying cheap foods. Make sure to check the label. Make sure you check the manufactured date and the expiration. Some stores changes the expiration date. I will never mention a name but I bought there once! Try to rub it with a wet wipes. Rub it on the expiration date. And something fishy will come off.
Those are the ways that other people lose money while they try to live a frugal lifestyle. If you can’t handle being frugal, there are tons of websites that can help you. There is no shame when you do that. Asking someone to be frugal. I have been there and done that. A frugal lifestyle is great when you don’t let temptation get to you. What are your thoughts? Let us know with your comments below!
