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Monday, September 14, 2009

Frugal or Feebleminded ?

I grew up having instilled in me the notion that I cannot have what I want (unless it is valued equally by the person responsible for payment).  Today, as a financially independent adult I see how this mentality still preys on me.
I am generous with my husband,children, and friends, to the extent that it is sensible, yet I am cheap with myself.

Say I admire a shirt  that I feel costs "too much". I will search for a lower price or one similar for less. A typical outcome is that I end with several similar items, some of which I dislike more than others. And their sum total cost exceeds the price of the  original item.  I'd like a legitimate barometer for "too much" , other than "if i like it i can't have it".

....And this is how I come to have so many things in my closet and still nothing to wear.
With regard to conserving and spending, my thinking is flawed.  On more than one occasion I have opted to not drop 25c in a meter since I will only  be a minute.  Rather than feeding the meter with a mere quarter,  I risk and receive  the $35 dollar parking ticket.
Yesterday while driving my precious cargo (the boys),  I chose to search coupons.....WHILE DRIVING.  It is clear now that the 75 cents I might save on the head of lettuce (that will spoil before use) is less in savings than NOT WRECKING the car.   sheeeeesh

2 comments:

  1. It all sounds so familiar. I am cheap with myself as well. But.. over the last year I have changed. I may not buy myself clothes but I do other things I enjoy and not feel guilty.

    My family is fed and happy and the bills are paid. Life is too short to not buy the blouse you want.

    Great post xx

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  2. I shop for bargains too...I like knowing I've saved some money and the purchase ends up feeling more like a prize.

    But the meter thing...it would really annoy me if I got a ticket because I didn't put change in the meter. :(

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