Comments on: Showcase: You! week 2

By: Marz

Marz — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:08:13 +0000

The only downside of being frugal is that it might take a little longer to get organized when planning a shopping trip. BUT, I always feel relief after I am done at the store, and have saved over 50-75% of my bill just by planning out what I am going to purchase. I have to admit, it drives my kids nutz – - they swear that they never want to see another coupon again, and won’t step foot in a drugstore with me (cause I do too many transactions). LOL! I’m hoping that one day they appreciate all the lessons they learned on the use of coupons, and put some of these tips to use!

By: kristen

kristen — Sat, 31 May 2008 02:43:45 +0000

My only downside is that I constantly have to keep my impulses in check. There are also times when I really want to get something for my family and need to put it on the back burner for the sake of keeping the budget going.

I guess sometimes I resent the lack of spontaneity, even though I know it is for the sake of accomplishing a greater goal.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:23:04 +0000

One downside occurs around the holidays.
Having to look your friends in the eye as they hand over dozens of presents and in return, we hand over one or two.

I agree, also, with Julieanne. It’s a pain to deal with the kids’ disappointment when we can’t go out very often.

By: Sue (coffeepot)

Sue (coffeepot) — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:49:01 +0000

I agree with what Karen said above.

If you get your priorities in line then being frugal is great all the time.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:49:00 +0000

I see the biggest downside is when frugality is put above other priorities. For instance, if your siblings are throwing a 50th anniversary party for your parents, and you COULD come up with the money, but did not, that would be mixed up priorities. (on the other hand, no reason to go out to eat with your sister on a regular Saturday night – invite her family over for grilled burgers instead)

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:44:54 +0000

The biggest downfall to being frugal, at least for me, is that at times I get so caught up in saving money that I don’t think about my family’s needs. All the time and energy I put into finding good deals, simplifying our life, and trying to be as frugal as possible is pointless if my family is not happy. Sometimes it’s ok to spend that extra dollar (or 20) if it is going to please your husband or make whatever you are doing more special. I need to remember that even though I am to be a good steward of what God has given to me it doesn’t mean that I need to go overboard in my quest for frugality. He gives us everything we have and really, I can’t take it with me when I leave this earth.

By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:25:55 +0000

The biggest downside for me is that I’ve missed out on having a few things I would like to have because I waited to buy something because I thought I could get it cheaper or really didn’t “need” it and then low and behold I DID need it or want it. Or it then disappeared completely and I lost my chance.

By: Elizabeth-The Whole Family

Elizabeth-The Whole Family — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:08:39 +0000

I agree with the comments that it takes much more time to research, get coupons and sales lined up, etc… But, I feel it’s worth it when I see how much I saved.

Once you get a taste of saving it’s super hard to pay full price for anything! And…there’s tons of guilt when I do that I place on myself.

By: bakinchick

bakinchick — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:04:57 +0000

I definitely see downsides to being frugal. Here’s some examples:

* Occasionally I want to the get the “poor me” martyr complex because I can’t find the particular item I want at an acceptable price. This is a habit that annoys me.

* I have to make the choice between trading time for money when choosing do things for myself more cheaply than buying a pre-made fix at a more expensive price. The lost of either makes me grumpy.

* I have to put up with the derision of people who just don’t “get” bucking the trend of being a consumer only, as opposed to being somewhat of a producer.

and finally, as a parent, I feel continually exhausted as I add another layer of hands-on parenting to the job by constantly teaching my children the value of a buck, the value of their labor, and (sometimes the lack of) the value of the things we choose to buy as a family.

Great topic!

By: Alyssa @ Keeping the Kingdom First

Alyssa @ Keeping the Kingdom First — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:00:50 +0000

I believe being frugal is good ALL the time… however, the downside occurs when you cross the line from FRUGAL to CHEAP.

I find myself refusing to buy items we actually NEED because I do not have a coupon. Now that is just plain cheap!