Frugal fatigue makes me tired
Filed under: Budgets, Shopping, Simplification, Recession
Dear America: the Recession is not, like Lent, over in six weeks, and it's OK to cheat on Sundays. This USA Today article claims that people are so over being frugal, because we've done it for what, months now?"Frugal fatigue" is the new buzz-phrase, and spending reports indicate we may be switching back to beef tenderloin (bye-bye roasted chicken) and $100 bottles of wine (so long tap water) and granite counter tops (adios, re-grouting that old tile).
I guess W. Hodding Carter, busy working on his book on extreme frugality (and according to a comment to my somewhat critical post, planning to live within his means forever, making me love him) is so March 2009. Right? We can just throw out the budget spreadsheet and proceed immediately to Starbucks for the day's second venti quadruple-shot caramel latte, with whip. No time to waste! Frugality is so boring!
Umm, hold up, guys.
Let me remind you why we're being frugal in the first place: because we discovered we were spending more money then we were making, certain that our homes and future incomes were piggy banks we could bash open any time we wanted, sure things, guaranteed annual returns. The housing crisis hit and reality struck: sometimes, salaries don't go up, sometimes, homes don't increase in value, sometimes, we lose our jobs and our homes and it's kinda smart not to spend money we haven't earned yet.
In the world of the American consumer, reality is fleeting. As Martha White says, we're acting like we've gotten a timeout we don't deserve, and we'll pout in the corner for a bit, eating pasta instead of lobster, and now it's time to go tearing around the playground -- I mean, mall -- again. No: we deserved this time out.
Frugal fatigue? You're making me tired. I don't want to have to go through this all over again every several years (or, just as likely, several months). You do not need $100 bottles of wine, granite countertops, and 52-inch flat panel TVs. Trust me on this. Take a nap, wipe the spending fever from your eyes, and please, please, get over your frugal fatigue already.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-07-2009 @ 6:27PM
RosaT said...
Frugality is the new chic, and I believe that it is a sustainable movement even after recovery from this economic downturn. Opportunities abound for creative ways to be frugal and reap the benefits of making our personal lives be more fulfilling.
Recently, I found it extremely helpful during the economic downturn to create a positive attitude by participating in the “Upside to the Downturn” community group including a weekly Starting Your Week on the Upside column. It’s a place where folks are sharing insights and stories about how they are creating an upside and improving their lives in spite of the downturn. Check it out: http://www.upsidetothedownturn.com/
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5-14-2009 @ 9:35AM
JMalmstrom said...
So we're all looking for ways to survive the recession, seems lots of us are starting blogs! A huge part of economizing for the long term is rewarding yourself with an occasional modest treat or luxury (always within your means). These occasional very tiny splurges become so much more appreciated after a period of penny-pinching. At http://www.planetcheapskate.com we say being cheap doesn't have to mean austerity. Instead we think you can "Send Less and Live Well." And do it for the long term!
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5-26-2009 @ 11:37AM
Mary S said...
Seriously? People are already feeling "frugal fatigue"? If you look at being frugal the way I do, that it is helping me build wealth and gain financial independence, I feel energized-- not fatigued!
I've been dead broke before and have learned that it is easy to enjoy a full rich life without feeling deprived at all. Being frugal makes me rich!
When I save, I have money to invest in appreciating assets rather than depreciating stuff, so I get richer!
Whenever I have felt challenged to save for my long term goals, I just remind myself someday I would be sitting on the beach and those people driving the fancy cars and carrying the expensive designer bags wouldn't be!
And guess what? That's what happened!
Keep your eye on the prize!
Join us at http://FrugaltoRich.com to see how we did it and YOU Can Too!
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6-26-2009 @ 2:43PM
Ashley said...
I love saving money and I absolutely love getting things for free. It's a great way to get ahead in these tough times.
I use swagbucks to earn free gift cards to places like Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Target, Macy's, Starbucks, and so many more! All I need to do is use their search engine for all my web searches (and it's even powered by Google!). So I get paid for the things I already do!
To sign up and start out with 3 free swagbucks go to:
http://swagbucks.com/refer/All2God
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