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The Frugal Road
By Daphne | August 7, 2008
Being frugal can only go so far. There are some things you should not skimp on. Buying milk that is out of date is not a good way to save money because you could get sick. On the other hand if you can visibly see if there are problems with a food item such as fruit or vegetables then go ahead.
Most people probably would take free food regardless whether or not it is good or healthy. If you have to spend more for healthy foods that are lower in sodium and fat than greasy foods consistently then you will pay for it over the long run with your health. This is not to say that enjoying some sauce laden fried goodness occasionally is going to cost you good health.
Spending money on an item once that you will never have to replace during your lifetime is a good deal, even if you spend six or seven times the amount that a lesser quality item would cost.
Think long term when you are parting with the tools you use to acquire something (read money).
I have good luggage that I have used for years which cost more than the cheaply made pieces from a discount store. Granted, I didn’t get five pieces for less than $100 but my luggage is still in good shape.
Buying an expensive pair of sunglasses each year, unless they are prescription glasses may be a necessity for you, while an important item may be a high end phone with all the bells and whistles that the person uses for work.
The frugal road is one that can be traveled with friends, it just means that you need to make sure that your friends know and understand what your priorities are. If you really want to save up for a nice piece or furniture or a luxury vacation then do it. Even if you pay less than the suggested price for either item but see quality and value your friends will understand that. This also means that if you have a friend who wants to own a well-made handbag or custom-made shoes.
A full life with lots of interesting experiences can still be yours when you live within your means and not let money rule your life. When you are frugal and have quality items to use, you will not have to ask yourself “will this be the trip that my luggage bursts open” or “will I need to buy another bag for work this year.”
Topics: August 2008 |
August 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Regarding outdated milk — although I agree that it would be unwise and silly to purchase sour milk, my grocery store often reduces the price of milk on its expiration day by 50-75%. I buy it and freeze it, take it out & use it when needed. Skim milk and milk with lower fat OFTEN lasts much longer than the required, published expiration date — I’ve been doing this for years with no illness or nutritional deficits in my family. Got milk???