A small change in spending will not suddenly make everyone a millionaire but spending wisely will allow you to have enough of what’s needed. The bitterness that people have is because some were forced into being frugal due to job loss or decrease in income. As a person’s situation improves will the bad taste of frugality still linger on?

When you Google “Frugality Sucks” there are close to 400,00 results that return. Even though people are saving money and scrimping here and there they don’t like it. The backlash will happen. When people are feeling comfortable again. Not many people like money saving tips even though they are very general and can be put into place with little effort. Some of the more draconian tactics are like a crash diet such as wearing shoes or socks until you have a hole in them, using less of something you need like toilet paper or driving an extra 5 miles to save 10¢ a gallon on gas. Living within your means is a lifestyle – a healthy spending plan if you will. There is always something you will buy that will make you feel good and some things that you will use and paying top dollar is really an investment – a quality pair of shoes will last longer than poorly made ones. The higher the quality, the higher the cost, but the fewer times you will have to replace the item the more you save.

Not being able to go out and buy what you used to is a common theme on anti-frugality posts. There were some who spent money they didn’t have on items they didn’t need or couldn’t afford which is a hard pattern to break. Becoming a new or forced convert to living frugally or living within your means is like eating right – no crash diets no prepared meals for the rest of your life – it means finding a way to live that suits you. If that means avoiding using a credit card or not shopping without a list then do it.

Dieters look dour and sad because they are missing out on what they can’t have – frugal people don’t have to look that way. The only thing frugal people are giving up is debt and bills they can’t pay.